Ortus medicinae, id est Initia physicae inaudita progressus medicinae nouus, in morborum ultionem ad vitam longam [...] [ed. Franciscus Mercurius van Helmont, 4th ed.] [Pt. II 6th ed.].

Folio: [24]-487-[1 bl.]-192-[88, 2 bl.] pp. (usual toning and spotting).

Cont. sheep, gilt spine on 6 raised bands, sp. edges (rubbed, corners bumped, joints starting to split, head and tail def.). Good copy although printed on paper of rather poor quality.

Collected major medical works of the renowned physician J.B. van Helmont (1577-1644), 1st publ. by the Elzeviers in 1648, here edited by his even more famous son François Mercure (1618-1699). He is considered to be "the founder of pneumatic chemistry", and is remembered today largely for his ideas on spontaneous generation, his 5-year tree experiment, and his introduction of the word "gas" into the vocabulary of scientists. Pt. II contains some smaller works (e.g. on the pest). Engr. title within elaborate border with portraits of father and son. Printed in 2 cols. Ref. Bibl. Med. Neerl. I:157. - Krivatsy 5434-5435. - Not in Goldsmith (BL), Wellcome.