MEDICINE - ESSEX Two manuscript volumes, the first containing physician's notes, the other stud...

MANUSCRIPT - MEDICINE Two manuscript volumes, the first containing closely-written physician's notes beginning with 'Christy McDonald, Age 21. Unmarried/ Feby 4 1795', going on to outline each patient's name, symptoms and his prescription, such as 'John McGregor, aged 47, A coachman.... Constant severe cough with a sense of stricture in the breast...', 'Mrs Smith... after sustaining a pain in the loins which she attributes to a fright she received in consequence of a part of the house being on fire...', 'Mrs Palmer... great depression of spirits... tears will flow upon the most trifling occasion...', 'Mrs Nuttmen – the ulcer discharges much watery fluid...', 'Sarah Raven... always pale & delicate...', 'Geo Roe... some injury... falling over the side of a barge at Gravesend...', much on bowel movements ('...rather disturbed...') and expectoration, on the death of his cat, a case of breast cancer, an operation for a Femoral Hernia, and much else, occasional notes on the weather ('...cold wind – mizzling rain...'), and other notable events ('...Wheat harvest began...'), etc., c.350 leaves, dust-staining, marks, creasing, fraying, sewn gatherings loosely inserted into marbled boards, worn with loss to spine, 4to (210 x 130mm. and smaller), 1795, then 1826-1828; the second volume containing student notes beginning 1792 with notes on properties of various substances, remedies ('...opiates are remarkably effective...'), lecture notes on optics, natural history ('Dr Walker/ Lecture 1st May 1st 1793'), meteorology, barometrics and other areas of science, illustrated with diagrams in ink and pencil and pencilled doodles, over 100 leaves, 4to (210 x 125mm.) with over 50 additional leaves of notes on various patients, 8vo, all held within marbled boards, spine lacking, worn, 1792 onwards (2) Footnotes: 'COMPLAINS GREATLY OF A DEBILITY OF THE STOMACH & MUCH FLATULANCE – HE IS AN OLD MAN & MUCH BROKEN': AN INSIGHT INTO THE WORK OF A YOUNG ESSEX PHYSICIAN. Our volumes give a fascinating insight into early nineteenth century medical practices including the use of leeches ('...properly applied...'), opium pills and various emetics ('...threw up bile in quantities...'). The first section of notes dates from 1795 and internal evidence reveals that, from 1826, the unnamed doctor was working at Prittlewell in Essex. Here, he treated patients from many villages in the locality including Great Wakering, Leigh, Paglesham, Foulness and Shoebury, noting their occupations, from grooms, gardeners, butchers, shoemakers and servants to the local blacksmith, several publicans, a 'Hawking Haberdasher', and up the social scale to Mr Robjent of South Shoebury Hall. The second volume, of student lecture notes, which appears to be in the same hand, bears a possible ownership inscription for 'Thos Coulston' within the text. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: • • Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing