United Kingdom

1801 CE–1808 CE

#2926

The principles of surgery. 3 vols.

John Bell, the Scottish anatomist and brother of Charles Bell, is regarded as a founder of surgical anatomy. He was first to ligate the gluteal artery (Vol. I, pp, 421-26), and tied the common carotid and internal ili…

1802 CE

#9581

An entire, new, and original work; being a complete treatise upon spinae pedum; containing several important discoveries. Illustrated with copperplates exhibiting the different species of spinae.

The first original British work on podiatry, with several illustrations, one hand-colored. Disappointed at being refused a medical degree, Lion, a German Jewish émigré, wrote this book, taking the unusua…

1802 CE

#2207

Commentarii de morborum historia et curatione.

Samuel Johnson called Heberden “the last of our learned physicians”. The above work included all his important papers, which had earned him his great reputation, and which are dealt with elsewhere in this …

1802 CE

#1694

Natural and political observations and conclusions upon the state and condition of England, 1696. Pages 405-449 in An estimate of the comparative strength of Great-Britain; and of the losses of her trade from every war since the revolution; with an introduction of previous history. A new edition, corrected and continued to 1801. To which is now annexed Gregory King's celebrated state of England.

King has been called the first great economic statistician, surpassing Petty. King was an engraver, herald, surveyor, and Secretary to the Commissioners for the Public Accounts, but he is best known for his 1696 estim…

1802 CE

#11186

Natural theology: Or, evidences of the existence and attributes of the Deity, collected from the appearances of nature.

1802 CE

#12078

The outlines of the veterinary art, or the principles of medicine as applied to a knowledge of the structure, functions, and oeconomy of the horse, the ox, the sheep, and the dog, and to a more scientific and successful manner of treating their various diseases, the whole illustrated by anatomical plates. 2 vols.

Includes the earliest record in the English of the origin and growth of veterinary literature. Digital facsimile from Google Books at this link.

1802 CE

#13779

Travels through Sweden, Finland, and Lapland, to the North Cape, in the years 1798 and 1799. 2 vols.

Digital facsimile from Google Books at this link.

1802 CE–1808 CE

#9089

The natural history of British fishes, including scientific and general descriptions of the most interesting species, and an extensive selection of accurately finished coloured plates. Taken entirely from original drawings, purposely made from the specimens in a recent state, and for the most part whilst living. 5 vols.

"the paint is laid on so thickly that it is frequently impossible to see the engraved lines underneath. The already rich colouring is heightened by the addition of burnished highlights, albumen overglazes and metallic…

1803 CE

#13026

A poetical petition against tractorising trumpery and the Perkinistic institution: In four cantos. Most respectfully addressed to the Royal College of Physicians.

This medical satire in doggerel verse, which was ostensibly an attack on Perkins' metallic tractors, or "Perkinism" was actually written in support of them. The work was best known for its second and greatly expanded …

1803 CE

#1989.1

An account of the late improvements in galvanism…

Nephew of Galvani (see No. 593), Aldini developed and promoted animal electricity. His sensational experiments on the body of a criminal executed at Newgate, conducted with Carpue (No. 1989) were significant for the p…

1803 CE

#5266

An account of the native Africans in the neighbourhood of Sierra Leone; to which is added, an account of the present state of medicine among them. 2 vols.

In his travels in Africa, Winterbottom, physician to the Colony of Sierra Leone (now Republic of Sierra Leone) on the west coast of Africa, saw sleeping sickness, which he described in vol. 2, pp. 29-31, as a species …

1803 CE

#1989

An introduction to electricity and galvanism.

One of the first works in the English language entirely devoted to medical electricity. Carpue also played a key role in the development of rhinoplasty. See No. 5737.

1803 CE

#1764

Medical ethics; or, a code of institutes and precepts, adapted to the professional conduct of physicians and surgeons. To which is added an appendix; containing a discourse on hospital duties ....

An incomplete version was first printed for private circulation, 1794. Two variants dated 1794 are known: One is dated February 24, 1794 on the "advertisement" at the end, the other is dated April 4, 1794 on a leaf at…

1803 CE

#4308.1

Practical observations in surgery.

Hey is remembered for “Hey’s saw” and “Hey’s internal derangement of the knee,” a phrase that he coined. He was an outstanding surgeon in his day; he founded and was senior surgeon …

1803 CE

#8025

Practical rules for the management and medical treatment of negro slaves in the sugar colonies

Collins, a British doctor and planter, spent fourteen years in the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent. Written from the utilitarian perspective of a master, this handbook on slave medicine was intended to maximize the …

1803 CE

#3679

The natural history of the human teeth

Fox’s classic treatise on the teeth is the first to include explicit directions for correcting dental irregularities. It is the first work on orthodontics.

1803 CE

#8922

The temple of nature; or the origin of society. A poem, with philosophical notes.

Erasmus Darwin's last poem, which mainly expounds his theories of evolution. He traces the progress of life form its origin as microscopic specks in premeval seas to its culmination in a civilized human society. The f…

1803 CE

#7367

Travels in Turkey, Asia-Minor, Syria, and across the desert into Egypt during the years 1799, 1800, and 1801, in company with the Turkish Army, and the British Military Mission.To which are annexed, observations on the plague, and on the diseases prevalent in Turkey, and a meteorological journal.

Wittman described the plague and other epidemics that afflicted both the Ottoman and British armies. In the Appendix he provided medical suggestions for treatment, together with a history of the plague. Digital facsim…

1804 CE

#2071.1

An essay, medical, philosophical, and chemical, on drunkenness, and its effects on the human body.

The first book on alcoholism, expanded from Trotter's MD dissertation: Dissertatio medica inauguralis, quædam de ebrietate, ejusque effectibus in corpus humanum complectens, quam ... pro gradu doctoris ... (Edin…

1804 CE

#12687

Memoirs of the life of Dr. Darwin, chiefly during his residence in Lichfield: With anecdotes of his friends, and criticisms on his writing.

Digital facsimile from the Internet Archive at this link.

1804 CE

#6327

Morborum puerilium epitome.

English translation, Uttoxeter, 1805. Like his father, Heberden junior was a great clinician. It is probable that the above was compiled from notes left by Heberden senior.

1804 CE

#13225

Surgical observations, containing a classification of tumours, with cases to illustrate the history of each species; - an account of diseases which strikingly resemble the venereal disease; - and various cases illustrative of different surgical subjects.

Abernethy published the first classification of tumors based on pathologic anatomy. "Abernethy is best known for his lectures and writings on surgery and for the first attempt at classification of tumors, some of whic…

1805 CE

#4492

A clinical history of diseases. Part first: being 1. A clinical history of the acute rheumatism. 2. A clinical history of the nodosity of the joints.

The first monograph on acute rheumatism.

1805 CE

#9085

An epitome of the natural history of the insects of New Holland, New Zealand, New Guinea, Otaheite, and other islands in the Indian, Southern, and Pacific oceans: Including the figures and descriptions of one hundred and fifty-three species of the more splendid, beautiful, and interesting insects, hitherto discovered in those countries, and which for the most part have not appeared in the works of any preceding author. The figures are correctly delineated from specimens of the insects; and with the descriptions are arranged according to the Linnæan system, with reference to the writings of Fabricius and other entomologists.

"Apart from occasional excursions in England and Wales Donovan never left London. His Insects of New Holland is based on specimens collected by Joseph Banks and William Bayly an astronomer on the second and third voya…

1805 CE

#12483

Travels in Europe, Asia Minor, and Arabia.

Digital facsimile from Google Books at this link.

1806 CE

#7658

Catalogue of the Leverian Museum : part I[-VI] ... the sale of the entire collection by Messrs. King and Lochee will commence on Monday, the 5th of May, 1806 at twelve o'clock.

Auction catalogue in six parts. Digital facsimile from Biodiviersity Heritage Library at this link. Facsimile reprint, London: Harmer Johnson and John Hewett, 1979 with a 69-page manuscript appendix of an extra five d…

1806 CE

#6604.92

Essays on the anatomy of expression in painting.

Bell’s artistic and literary skills combined with his knowledge of anatomy and physiology to make this work a tour de force of art history and the anatomical and physiological basis of facial expression.

1806 CE

#3362

The anatomy of the human ear … with a treatise on the diseases of the organ.

Saunders was the first to advise paracentesis in acute middle-ear suppuration.

1806 CE

#3679.1

The history and treatment of diseases of the teeth, the gums, and the alveolar processes, etc.

Fox was a surgeon practicing dentistry. By some of the authorities his book is considered more valuable than Hunter’s (No. 3676). This is the first book to illustrate diseases of the teeth.

1807 CE

#8814

An account of the diseases of India, as they appeared in the English fleet, and in the naval hospital at Madras, in 1782 and 1783; with observations on ulcers, and the hospital sores of that country, &c. & c. To which is prefixed a view of the diseases of an expedition and passage of a fleet and armament to India, in 1781.

Digital facsimile from Google Books at this link.

1807 CE

#5839

An account of the ophthalmia which has appeared in England since the return of the British Army from Egypt.

Vetch described trachoma.

1807 CE

#12875

Of the cause of the yellow fever; and the means of preventing it in places not yet infected with it: Addressed to the Board of Health in America.

This 13-page pamphlet was probably the only medical publication by the English-born American political activist, philosopher, political theorist, and revolutionary, Thomas Paine. Paine's essay was first published in n…

1807 CE

#3581

The anatomy and surgical treatment of inguinal and congenital hernia. London, Cox, 1804. The anatomy and surgical treatment of crural and umbilical hernia.

Cooper’s first book, luxuriously produced, in which he described for the first time the transversalis fascia, with full appreciation of its importance in hernia, as well as the superior pubic ligament with bears…

1807 CE

#1602.1

The code of health and longevity; or, a concise view of the principles calculated for the preservation of health, and the attainment of long life. 4 vols.

One of the most comprehensive works on gerontology ever written, with a bibliography of 1800 references, supplemented by abstracts, translated excerpts from ancient authors, national data, etc.

1807 CE

#11802

The Oriental voyager, or descriptive sketches and cursory remarks on a voyage to India and China in His Majesty's ship Caroline, performed in the years 1803–4–5–6. Interspersed with extracts from the best modern voyages and travels. The whole intended to exhibit a topographical and picturesque sketch of all the principal places which are annually or occasionally visited by our East Indian and China fleets....

Digital facsimile from Google Books at this link.

1807 CE–1809 CE

#5583

A system of operative surgery. 2 vols.

Famous as anatomist, physiologist, and neurologist, Charles Bell was also, like his brother John, an eminent surgeon. His artistic talent was even greater than that of his brother. (See No. 5588.)

1808 CE

#7682

A catalogue of the anatomical preparations, casts, drawings, machines, instruments, &c. in White's Museum, Lying-in hospital.

1808 CE

#4635

An essay on hydrocephalus acutus, or dropsy in the brain.

Acute hydrocephalus first described.

1808 CE

#7685

Catalogue of the principal objects of curiosity [in the collection of Edward Donovan] contained in the London Museum and Institute of Natural History, Catherine Street, Strand, now open to the inspection of the public.

1808 CE

#3168

Observations on the inflammatory affections of the mucous membrane of the bronchiae.

Badham distinguished acute and chronic bronchitis from pneumonia and pleurisy, with which it had previously been confused. He gave the disease its present name. Digital facsimile from Google Books at this link.

1808 CE–1818 CE

#5840

Essays on the morbid anatomy of the human eye. 2 vols.

Wardrop was the first to classify the various inflammations of the eye according to the structures attacked. He was also the first to use the term “keratitis”.

1809 CE

#10465

A companion to the Liverpool Museum, containing a brief description of upwards of seven thousand natural and foreign curiosities, antiquities and productions of fine arts, collected during several years of arduous research, and at an expense of upwards of twenty thousand pounds. And now open for inspection, in the Great Room, No. 22, Piccadilly, London, which has been fitted up for the purpose in a manner entirely new.

Bullock founded his Museum of Natural Curiosities at 24 Lord Street in Liverpool in 1795. While still trading as a jeweller and goldsmith, in 1801 he published a descriptive catalogue of the works of art, armor, objec…

1809 CE

#5585

A dictionary of practical surgery.

Cooper was surgeon on the field at Waterloo, and was later appointed to the chair of surgery at University College, London. His great dictionary went through seven editions during his lifetime and was translated into …

1809 CE

#1603

A treatise on medical police, and on diet, regimen, &c. In which the permanent and regularly recurring causes of disease in general, and those of Edinburgh and London in particular, are described; with a general plan of medical police to obviate them, and a particular one adapted to the local circumstances of these cities. 2 vols.

First notable work on the subject in English. Digital facsimile from Google Books at this link.

1809 CE

#7610

Directions for preserving animals and parts of animals for anatomical investigation; and concerning extraneous fossils.

"The following Directions, framed by the late Mr. John Hunter, are intended to facilitate, and render effectual, the Endeavours of such Friends to scientific Inquiries as shall be inclined to futher the designs of the…

1809 CE

#2738

Observations on some of the most frequent and important diseases of the heart.

Burns described endocarditis and reported three cases of mitral stenosis. He recognized the thrill present in the latter condition and seems to have understood the mechanism of a cardiac murmur. He also described unil…

1809 CE

#2928

Surgical observations on the constitutional origin and treatment of local diseases.

A pupil of John Hunter, Abernethy became a leading surgeon in London. He was most industrious, and it is said that not even on his wedding day did he fail to give his usual daily lecture at St. Bartholomew’s Hos…

1809 CE

#14156

The bibliomania, an epistle to Richard Heber, Esq.

Ferriar coined the term "bibliomania" in this work. Digital facsimile from Google Books at this link.

1809 CE

#3252

The pathology of the membranes of the larynx and bronchia.

Cheyne’s important book deals mainly with the lesions of croup.

1810 CE

#4969.2

A letter to Henry Cline, Esq. on imperfect developements (sic) of the faculties mental and moral, as well as constitutional and organic; and on on the treatment of impediments of speech.

The first book on mental deficiency. Thelwall recognized that sensory deprivation could be a cause of apparent mental defect through his work with handicapped children. He established criteria for distinguishing betwe…