Paul of Aegina

De re medica nunc primum integrum Latinitate donatum per Ioannem Guinteriuum Andernacum Winter, Johannes, ed

      Paris: Simon de Colines, 1532. Basis of Arabic & European Medicine & Surgery Paul of Aegina (fl. 640 AD). Opus de re medica, nunc primum integrum latinitate donatum, per Ioannem Guinterium Andernacum [Joannes Guinter (Guinter von Andernach) (1505-74)]. . . . Folio. [40], 47, [9], 39, [9], 127, [9], 48, [8], 24, [8], 83, [9], 158pp., final blank. Woodcut printer's device on title, woodcut initials by Geofroy Tory (c. 1480-1533). Paris: Simon de Colines, 1532. 327 x 219 mm. Late 16th or early 17th century brown-painted parchment, gilt leather label & manuscript paper label, a little rubbed, hinges cracking. Margin of Aa1 & Cc5 restored, a little foxing, browning & soiling, faint dampstain in outer margin of a few leaves towards front but overall fine. Old arms drawn in ink on title margin & 1 or 2 other leaves, 19th century notations on title. First Edition in Latin translated by Vesalius's teacher Guinter von Andernach. This is the best early edition of the Epitome of Paul of Aegina, which appeared for the first time in Latin in three different editions in 1532. See G-M 36 & 5549, citing the nineteenth century English translation, and noting the three Latin editions. Paul of Aegina was the most important physician of his day and a skillful surgeon. His Epitome summarizes Greek medical thought and the Galenic tradition, and was highly important for the transmission of classical medicine to Islamic and European physicians. The Epitome is divided into seven books on hygiene, fevers, bodily afflictions, surgery, medicines and poisons. It includes material on dietary therapeutics describing many foods; an analysis of the pulse as a prognostic tool, with a classification of sixty-two varieties of pulse; an excellent discussion of the kidneys, liver and spleen; diseases of the uterus and complications of labor; the first clear description of the effects of lead poisoning, and a discussion of ninety minerals, six hundred plants and one hundred sixty-eight animals from Dioscorides. Paul's book on surgery, however, is his single most important contribution. It represents the most complete system of operative surgery to come down from ancient times. Paul gives original descriptions of lithotomy, trephining, tonsillotomy, paracentesis and amputation of the breast. He was one of the earliest writers on plastic surgery, discussing operations on the eyelids, nose, lips and ears. He gives prescriptions for the treatment of burns, discusses military surgery, obstetrics and surgery of the eye. "Because of the completeness of his work, the conciseness and lucidity of his descriptions, and the systematic organization of his books, large portions of [Paul's] writings were incorporated into the texts of the principal Arabic authors. In surgery, in particular, he literally transmitted the entire body of Greek and Roman knlowledge to Islam whence it ulitmately returned to medieval and pre-Renaissance Europe" (Zimmerman & Veith 75). The Greek editio princeps was published in 1528 by Aldus. The first Latin translation to appear in 1532, published at Basel by Cratander, was taken from the Aldine Greek but did not include Paul's surgery. A Giunta edition then appeared at Venice, which included the surgery; however Guinter's edition, which appeared next at Paris, was superior to its predecessors, being based on the collation of additional manuscripts. It was also superior typographically, beautifully printed, with intial letters designed by one of the great typographers of the early period of printing, Geofroy Tory, whose letters have inspired designers ever since. Garrison, History 124. DSB. 22359