PERNUMIA, Giovann Paolo
Therapeutice.
Venice, Apud Simonem Gailgnanum de Karera [colophon: Apud Cominum de Tridino Montisferrati], 1564.£1,750.00
FIRST EDITION. 4to. ff. (viii) 160 (viii). Roman letter. Woodcut printer’s device to t-p. Woodcut initials, woodcut and typographical headpieces. Blindstamped German pigskin, central panel with two figural roll tolls depicting virtues, within outer border formed of larger roll depicting biblical scenes, soiled and rubbed, some loss at edges, remains of clasps. Occasional contemporary ms. annotations in ink. Light waterstain to first quire along gutter, occasional foxing at edges, marginal browning to a few ll., a good, well margined copy.
First edition of this work on the art (or science) of curing by the Paduan physician John Paul Pernumia, published posthumously. It claims to offer a ‘complete method’ of therapeutic medicine, based on new theories in synthesis with the ancient authorities (chiefly following Galen’s humoral medicine, there is, unsurprisingly, a huge amount on fevers). This is not, however, a text designed for practical use in domestic medicine but more a theoretical treatise on diseases and on the nature of disease itself. Pernumia presents disease and illness as a natural part of human physiology; to cure is simply to go above or before what occurs naturally in the human body. Pernumia also, therefore, advanced the benefits of preventative cures that could anticipate these natural processes or changes. The contemporary annotator of our copy, however, appears mostly to be in search of practical information on diets to be followed during illnesses, and on the symptoms of diseases, such as hydropsy, phthisis and even headaches.
Adams II, P 712; BM STC It., p. 499. NLM 3595. Not in Wellcome, Osler or Heirs of Hippocrates.