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A Letter to William Smellie, M.D.

A Letter to William Smellie, M.D.

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A Letter to William Smellie, M.D.

by BURTON, John

  • Used
  • very good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Very good
Seller
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
London, Ontario, Canada
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About This Item

London: W. Owen, 1753. Leather bound. Very good. xii, 250, [1] p. 21 cm. One fold-out plate at rear. Full leather. Respined. Spine reads "Burton. Letter to Dr. Smellie. London. 1753." Corners worn. Bookplate on front pastedown for Sir James Stewart Denholm, Baronet, of Coltness & Westshiel. Signature of former owner, Sir James Y. Simpson, at top of front pastedown with Denholm's name crossed out below. Bookplate for the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh on front free endpaper. Minor foxing.

Title continues: "Containing Critical and Practical Remarks Upon his Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Midwifery. Wherein the various Gross Mistakes and dangerous Methods of Practice Mentioned and recommended by that Writer, Are fully demonstrated and generally corrected. Likewise the several Advantages or Dangers, to both Mother and Child, attending the Turning the last in the Womb to extract by the Feet, or that accrue from the Use of each particular Kind of Instrument, emply'd in delivering Women, are shewn in a more ample Manner than heretofore. Being as an Appendix, to both the above-mentioned Authors Treatises on Midwifery; absolutely necessary to be perused by all who have read the former's Book, or attended his Lectures with a View to Practice. To which is affixed a Copper-Plate, representing several Sorts of Instruments used by the Ancients, with the Fillet as improved by the Author thereof." Aside from its lengthy title, this book is notable for other reasons. Scottish obstetrician William Smellie (1697-1763), trained in obstetrics in London and Paris, opened a practice in London, and began teaching. His Theory and Practice of Midwifery is considered a classic, but here it is savaged by his rival, John Burton of York. On his first page, Burton accuses Smellie's work of being "grosly mistaken in various Parts." On the other hand, some researchers believe it was John Burton who was immortalized by Laurence Sterne in Tristram Shandy as "Dr. Slop," which suggests Burton was not qualified to criticize. Note the signature of former owner Sir James Young Simpson (1811-1870), Scottish obstetrician who introduced chloroform anaesthetic for general use. Also tucked inside is a letter from a Harley Street physician dated 1887.

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Details

Bookseller
Attic Books CA (CA)
Bookseller's Inventory #
105162
Title
A Letter to William Smellie, M.D.
Author
BURTON, John
Format/Binding
Leather bound
Book Condition
Used - Very good
Quantity Available
1
Binding
Hardcover
Publisher
W. Owen
Place of Publication
London
Date Published
1753
Keywords
Medical, Obstetrics, Sir James Young Simpson, Midwifery, Childbirth, Sir James Stewart Denholm

Terms of Sale

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About the Seller

Attic Books

Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Biblio member since 2011
London, Ontario

About Attic Books

Attic Books is one of the premier retail locations for antiquarian and collectable books in Canada. We recently celebrated our thirtieth year in business. Please browse our select online stock on a wide range of subjects in books and paper collectables for the reader, scholar and the seasoned collector. Or come visit us in London, Ontario to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of our three floor bookstore, enhanced by original tin ceilings, hardwood maple floors, and the arts & crafts faade of our century building.

Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Plate
Full page illustration or photograph. Plates are printed separately from the text of the book, and bound in at production. I.e.,...
Bookplate
Highly sought after by some collectors, a book plate is an inscribed or decorative device that identifies the owner, or former...
Spine
The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....

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