Physician's handbook for the preparation of ointments, poultices and plasters for the healing of wounds

The following is an interim description, which may change when further cataloguing takes place.

From dealer's description:

[Austria?, c.1637-c.1700.] Manuscript, ink on paper. 8vo (10 x 17cm) c.[254] pages in Latin & German, in 2 or possibly 3 hands, some marginal dustmarking in places not affecting text, a few small stains, in contemporary vellum (reusing older manuscript leaf), binding rubbed & darkened with joints starting but remaining sound, remains of sheepskin ties, light wear to extremities.

Dating from c.1637 this manuscript in German and Latin offers instructions for the preparation of approximately 150 different ointments, salves, poultices, plasters, bandages, oils and tinctures: "Ein braun pflaster ... Stichpflaster ... Melilozen pflaster ... Ein alt shaden pflaster ... Emplastrum ad fracturas ... Emplastrum Stomagium ... Ung. Egipciacum ... Franzosen Oillen ... Aqua Ruthae ... Fur das Potagra ... Ein pflaster Nervinum ... Lapis Virginis ... Ungentum Apostulorum ... Oxercrucium Pflaster ... Diaculum gumis ... Unnegentum Aloe ... Ungentum Anodynim ... Ein diaculum pflaster ... "

The majority of the ingredients appear to be of a botanical nature. Some of these remedies are for the cure of open wounds, medical knowledge that would have been of use in central Europe in the mid-seventeenth century on account of the ravages of the Thirty Years' War. Towards the end of the volume are two pages of alchemical terms and related symbols. The date 1637 appears once at the beginning of the volume and is also penned at the foot of a note on the verso of the last leaf. Penned on one of the initial flyleaves is an account of a hailstorm in Bratislava in July 1650. Most probably penned by a physician or apothecary in Austria, this is a scarce example of a seventeenth century medical handbook in manuscript.

17th century

1 volume

Purchased from Samuel Gedge Ltd, February 2019