Beschreibung
First edition, very rare in commerce, of the principal exposition of the 'iatromechanical' theory of physiology, which was inspired by Harvey and Borelli. This hypothesis was based on the assumption that bodily functions, such as circulation, were determined by mechanical factors and could better be explained by Newtonian physics rather than the imbalance of humours. Pitcairne's (1652-1713) enthusiasm for this theory led to him publishing 'Solutio problematis de historicis; seu inventoribus,' a monograph supporting the claim that Harvey, rather than the ancient Greeks, had discovered the circulation of the blood. This publication was largely responsible for Pitcairne being appointed Professor of Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. In this position he became one of the more eminent protagonists of iatromechanical theory and, in 1691, he was invited to the prestigious Chair of the Practice of Medicine in the University of Leiden. On the journey there, he visited Isaac Newton at Cambridge. Pitcairne moved to Leiden in April 1692 and in his inaugural lecture attempted to outline his new theory of medicine based on Newton's principles. Pitcairne wrote a series of four dissertations based on the natural philosophy of Newton. "Pitcairne's statutory lectures as professor at Leiden reiterated the themes of his dissertation. Although these lectures were copied by more than one generation of students, they were published only in 1717 as 'Elementa medicinae'. Unlike other mechanists, and like Newton, Pitcairne rejected the existence of an ether . . . But Pitcairne did not wholly endorse Newton . . . Attractions had no role in his mechanistic scheme. In his self-appointed role as Harvey's heir, Pitcairne turned to the heartbeat - the cause of circulation - as his central mechanism. The body was composed of 'Canals and Fluids' and the hydraulics of this arrangement provided the proper realm of physic" (Guerrini, Obesity and Depression in the Enlightenment: The Life and Times of George Cheyne, p. 42). Pitcairne returned to Edinburgh in 1693, rising to be the first physician in Scotland; he was frequently called into consultation both in England and the Netherlands. Among his pupils were Richard Mead and Hermann Boerhaave. Pitcairne was a great collector of books, and his library, was, after his death in 1713, sold to Peter the Great of Russia for £430. This considerable sum was used to settle his outstanding debts. The 'Elementa medicinae' was reprinted at The Hague in 1718 & 1722, at Venice in 1733 & 1740, and a second edition was published at London in 1740. ABPC/RBH lists no copy of the first edition in the last 40 years. Wellcome IV p. 394; ESTC T84387. 8vo, pp. [xlii], 285, [19] (light damp-stain mainly confined to lower margin). Contemporary speckled calf, single gilt fillet around sides (head of spine chipped, front joint cracked but holding firm). Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers ABE-1586552155310
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