pdf - Roger Gaskell Rare Books

of the corporeal soul in the nervous system, and the disorders to which it was
prone, was both a contribution to comparative psychology and the beginning
of modern concepts of neurology. His speculations on the involuntary
functions of the “intercostal” and “vagal” nerves provided the foundation
of our knowledge of the autonomic nervous system.’ (Robert G. Frank, Jr.
DSB 14:408a.)
In the famous chapter ‘De stupiditate sive morosi’ (‘a treasury of clinical
astuteness’ in CraneWeld’s words) Willis gives the Wrst description of
schizophrenia.
The plates illustrate human and sheep brains, along with the anatomy of
a lobster, an oyster, and an earthworm. The dissections were carried out by
Edmund King and J. Master. (See F. J. Cole A history of comparative anatomy,
pp. 222–231.)
The octavo second edition was entered in the Stationers’ Company register
on 5 January 1672 while the 4to Wrst edition was still being printed in Oxford.
Both editions were probably available simultaneously, the Oxford 4to serving
as a deluxe edition, the cheaper 8vo, issued in both London and Amsterdam,
the standard trade edition. Overall this represents an unusually sophisticated
marketing strategy.
Garrison and Morton 1544, 4513, 4730, 4793, 4919, 4966; Paul F. CraneWeld,
‘Thomas Willis on stupidity and foolishness,’ Bulletin of Medical History 35 (1961)
291–316; Hunter and Macalpine, Three hundred years of psychiatry (1963) pp. 187–
192.
187
WILLIS, Thomas (1621–1675)
Pharmaceutice rationalis. Sive diatriba de medicamentorum
operationibus in humano corpore... E Theatro Sheldoniano. M. DC.
LXXIV. Prostant apud Robertum Scott Bibliopolam Londinensem.
Pars secunda... E Theatro Sheldoniano. M. DC. LXXV.
Oxford: Archbishop Fell’s press for Robert Scott, 1674–75.
2 volumes 4to: I: [a]–d 4 A–2T 4 2u 2 , 186 leaves, pp. [32] 330 [10]. II:
a–f 4 g 2 (c) 2 A–3I 4 3K 2 , 250 leaves, pp. [56] 496 (i.e. 438, several errors in
pagination) [12]. Engraving of the Sheldonian Theatre on each titlepage.
14 engraved plates, numbered Tab. I–VI and I–VIII.
Part I. 202 x 142mm. Light waterstains; worm tracks in the inner
margin of last few leaves. A fresh crisp copy. Part II. 206 x 150mm.
Title leaf soiled and frayed, repairs to last leaf with loss of a few
letters; light waterstains throughout, Wrst and last few leaves uniformly
browned, plates dustsoiled.
Binding: Part I. Contemporary vellum boards, a few worm holes and a
short tear in the upper joint. Part II. Recent quarter roan.
Provenance: Part I. Early inscription, undeciphered, on free
endleaf; Marcellino Ventuosi, signature dated 1852 on free endleaf.
Contemporary annotations, mostly single words, in a contemporary
hand. No marks of provenance or annotation in Part II