MARZIO, Galeotto; MERULA, Georgius.

Most attractive edition of this important early encyclopaedia of human physiology, and an interesting Turin imprint, with instances of Greek type. Proctor makes no mention of Greek printing in Turin in the C15, so this may be one of the earliest instances recorded, the design is quite similar to Souida’s in Milan, c.1499 (cf. Proctor, pp.200-1). The physician Marzio Galeotto (1427-97) was patronised by Matthias Corvinus of Hungary and Lorenzo il Magnifico. First published c.1476 and completed less than ten years earlier, ‘De homine’ examines the exterior of the human body in Part I, and the interior in Part II. The language is clear, and the definition simple and pragmatic: e.g., ‘we call “head” all that is supported by the neck.’ Part I begins with an anatomical examination head to foot, with interesting observations on the etymology of the Latin names (e.g., ‘scazon’ to say ‘limping’, like the poetic metre), and references even to classical literature, and a final section on the most common conditions, with suggestions for treatment. He also explains which zodiac signs govern which body part or ailment. Part II investigates the physiology and causes of common conditions, such as epilepsy, sneezing, gum bleeding, toothache, hoarseness, genital ailments, women’s illnesses, and so on. There follows a different work: Georgius Merula’s refutation of Galeotto Marzio. Merula (c.1430-94) was an Italian humanist and professor, and indeed, his critique was concerned not so much with the medical theories as such, but with Marzio’s mistaken interpretations of Latin and Greek sources, which led to incorrect medical conclusions. Merula’s answer is a masterpiece of knowledge: he refers to hundreds of ancient sources, clarifying what the medical terminology they employed actually meant to them. A few lines also quote Greek sources. Merula’s work is followed by Marzio’s own ‘Refutatio’, with an initial paragraph detailing the author’s conundrum on whether to answer such ‘silly’ accusations or not. ‘Refutatio’ is also a showcase of humanist knowledge, focusing generally more on the medical than the philological side. Marzio even lets himself go in personal insults, accusing Merula of teaching everything, from grammar to philosophy, and suggesting his appearance is ‘monstrous’ and ‘similar to that of a monkey’. A very interesting and very unusual collection of work, shedding light on early C16 medical and humanist knowledge, and their debate in print.

Either the third or fourth ed., another was printed in Basel the same year, priority not established.