pdf - Roger Gaskell Rare Books

Folio: Prelims: A2 , 2 leaves, pp [4].
Engraved portrait by Loggan (bound before the Pharmacuetice
rationalis)
Part I: ‘A medical­philosophical discourse of fermentation’ 1681: A–Z4 2A2 (–2A1), 93 leaves, pp. [8] 178.
Part II, ‘Five treatises’ 1681: p1 B–2B4 2C2 (–2C2). 98 leaves, pp. [4]
192.
16 leaves of engraved plates, the Wrst printed from 2 plates, numbered
[1] 1–6 [1] 7–8 [1] 9–13.
Part III, ‘An Essay of the pathology of the brain’ 1681: p2 B–O4 P2 (–P2) (a)–(h)2 (–h2), 70 leaves, pp. [4] 106 [30].
First edition in English. Another issue is without Robert Clavell’s name in
the imprint. H. J. R. Wing, Bibliography of Dr Thomas Willis 56; Wing
W2855; ESTC R201447.
303 x 187mm. Pharmaceutice rationalis: clean tear in part III, D3 into
the text without loss. Remaining medical works: paper Xaw in part II,
C2 aVecting a few letters without loss of sense. A few rust spots. Fine
fresh copies.
Binding: Two works bound together in contemporary panelled calf, gilt
spine, red edges. Rebacked with the original spine laid down.
Provenance: Contemporary signature ‘Wm. Vranceys’ on title and a
few pointing Wsts in the margins; bookplate of the Rt Hon. Washington
Sewallis Earl Ferrers of Chartley with inscription above ‘Ferrers
Chartley 1843’ and a small stamp.
The two volumes bound together here comprise the Wrst editions in English of
all of Willis’ works apart from the translation of De anima brutorum published
two years later in 1683 (see below). The translator of Pharmaceutice Rationalis
is not given, but Wood says that ‘being not well done it was corrected by S. P.
esq’ (Athenae Oxonienses, iii, cols. 1048–1053). This S. P. is the poet Samuel
Pordage (1633–1691) who is credited with the translations of the rest. Pordage
began his pubishing career with a translation of Seneca (1660) and was well
known as a poet. His translations of Willis’ works came late in his career.
In 1684 the Pharmaceutice rationalis was ‘newly translated’ and issued with
a reprint of The Remaining Medical Works and the sheets of the Two Discourses
concerning Soul of Brutes.
189
WILLIS, Thomas (1621–1675)
Two discourses concerning the soul of brutes, which is that of the
vital and sensitive of man. The Wrst physiological, shewing the nature,
parts, powers, and aVections of the same. The other pathological,
which unfolds the diseases which aVect it and its primary seat; to wit,
the brain and nervous stock, and treats of their cures.
London: printed for Thomas Dring at the harrow near Chancery-Lane End
in Fleet-street, Ch. Harper at the Flower-de-Luce against St. Dunstan’s
Church in Fleet-street, and John Leigh at Stationers-Hall, 1683.