Description:

William Osler
n.p., n.d.
William Osler Association, (3) Books: 1876 "Outlines of Practical Histology"; 1897 "A Course of Practical Histology"; & 1912 "Studies in Clinical Medicine"
Books
A grouping of three late 19th C. and early 20th C. medical textbooks, all containing an ownership signature as "Dr Wm Osler," not guaranteed as his autograph but suggesting an association with Sir William Osler (1849-1919), the celebrated Canadian doctor often referred to as the Father of Modern Medicine. N.d., n.p. Together, the three books represent nearly 40 years of medical discourse. The three books are also associated with the Library of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland. Individual condition issues are described below, but is overall very good. The largest book measures: 6" x 8.75" x 1.375."

The lot includes, in chronological order:

1. A hardcover copy of a medical textbook containing an ownership signature as "Dr Wm Osler." Dr. William Rutherford, Second Edition, "Outlines of Practical Histology" (London: J. & A. Churchill, 1876). The full title page near the top edge is pencil-inscribed "Dr Wm Osler." With a bookplate from the "Library of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland" affixed to the front pastedown endpaper. Red cloth-covered boards and a gilt-embossed spine. With an intact Erratum slip located just before the Table of Contents relating to p. 170, line 17. The spine and spine covering are loose but intact; subsequently, there is some minor splaying/splitting of the binding within along the gutter, with former attempts at repairs. Minor shelf rubbing and isolated discoloration mostly affecting cover edges. Even toning within. A list of pencil-inscribed names (doctors' names?) is found on one of the back loose endpapers. Else very good and copiously illustrated with 63 fascinating wood engravings of figures and diagrams. v-xi; 1-190; Index: 191-194. 5.25" x 7.5" x .875." 12mo.

This medical textbook was written because "no subject more than Practical Histology requires for its successful pursuit that guidance which oral instruction alone can give" - a sentiment of which Dr. Osler, a renowned teacher of medicine, would have approved. This histology textbook originally published in 1875 instructed doctors how to study cells and tissues using the latest methods and scientific instruments. The textbook guided students through the basic procedures of microscope examination: harvesting samples like blood, bone, and hair; mounting and preserving them through staining, fixing, and freeze-drying; and studying them in a controlled laboratory setting. Of particular interest are Part II, "The Microscope" and Part IV, "General Considerations Regarding Histological Methods," this last section covering the effects of applying gases, fluids, reagents, heat, cold, and electricity to samples. Also underscored in these discussions is the overwhelming reliance of doctors on animal subjects: lessons within were only possible by taking samples from a host of organisms ranging from water beetles, newts, and lizards to guinea pigs, chicks, cats, and sheep.

2. A hardcover copy of a medical textbook containing an ownership signature as "Dr Wm Osler." Dr. Edward Albert Sharpey-Schafer, Second Edition, "A Course of Practical Histology" (London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1897). The full title page near the top edge is pen-inscribed "Dr Wm Osler." With a bookplate from the "Library of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland" affixed to the front pastedown endpaper. Black cloth-covered boards and a gilt-embossed spine. Light toning to page edges, else clean within, with the first few loose endpapers gently wrinkled. Negligible wear to the spine extremes and a few discolored spots on the covers. Else near fine. Copiously illustrated with 59 fascinating figures and diagrams, some life size. v-xi; 1-290; Index: 291-298; and with 2pp of publisher's advertisements found at the back. 5.5" x 7.625" x 1.125." 12mo.

This histology textbook written by British physician Dr. Edward Albert Sharpey-Schafer (1850-1935) instructed doctors how to study cells and tissues using the latest methods and scientific instruments. The textbook guided students through the basic procedures of microscope examination: harvesting samples like blood, nerves, bone, hair, skin, and nails, many provided via animal testing; mounting and preserving them through staining, fixing, and freeze-drying; and studying them - including counting, describing, drawing, and photographing - in a controlled laboratory setting. The first edition had been published 20 years earlier, in 1877.

3. A hardcover copy of a medical textbook containing an ownership signature as "Sir William Osler." Dr. C.O. Hawthorne, "Studies in Clinical Medicine" (London: John Bale, Sons & Danielsson, Ltd., 1912). A bookplate from the "Charles Frick Library" is affixed to the front pastedown endpaper, with the donor identified in pen as "Sir William Osler." The title page is hand-stamped "Library of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland," and other examples of the same stamp appear scattered throughout. Black cloth-covered boards and a gilt-embossed spine. Light toning to pages within. A few negligible scuffs and stains to the covers. Else near fine. Illustrated with graphs, tables, charts, diagrams, and photographs of patients' body parts and tissue samples! vii-viii; 1-432; Index: 433-441; and with 1p of publisher's advertisements found at the back. 6" x 8.75" x 1.375." 8vo.

This medical textbook by Scottish physician Dr. Charles Oliver Hawthorne (1858-1949) is one of his best-known published works. The book is a compilation of a number of articles he had previously published in "Lancet," "British Medical Journal," "Glasgow Medical Journal" and other periodicals between ca. 1896-1911. These articles, along with the clinical lectures at the back of the book, discuss many patient case studies. Footnotes appear throughout the text, suggesting an academic rigor not commonly found in textbooks from earlier in the 20th C.

Dr. William Osler revolutionized the 19th C. study and practice of medicine by fundamentally changing how it was taught. Osler was one of the founding members of the Association of American Physicians and a founding professor of Johns Hopkins Hospital. One of the first doctors to lobby for residency training programs, Osler understood the importance of learning through hands-on experience, repetition, and practice. By emphasizing speaking to and listening to the patient, Osler advanced our understanding of pathology by underscoring the importance of medical history in positing a diagnosis. In this way, he also advocated for the most fundamental patient rights and reshaped the relationship between doctor and patient.

Osler's interest in teaching medicine inspired him to collect an enormous personal library of books related to medicine and the history of medicine. Osler willed his personal library to his alma mater, McGill University; the collection became the core of the Osler Library of the History of Medicine. The Charles Frick Collection of the Library of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland was established in 1896 in memory of Dr. Charles Frick (1823-1860), a Baltimore native and doctor who died of diphtheria.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: largest book: 6" x 8.75" x 1.375"
  • Medium: Books

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