An Introduction to Electricity and Galvanism ; with cases, shewing their effects in the cure of diseases : to which is added, a description of Mr. Cuthbertson's plate electrical machine ... Being the substance of lectures delivered to his anatomical class.
London: Sold by A. Phillips (successor to her late uncle, Mr. Lewis) ... ; Longman and Rees ... ; Cadell and Davies ... 1803. First Edition. viii, 112 pages. 3 folding leaves plates in rear. 8vo. Publisher's drab boards expertly rebacked in paper with new paper label. This PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED by the author "Dr Batty with J C Carpue's Compl" opposite the title page. R. Batty M.D. stamp on copyright page. Very Good. Boards. [27257]
Carpue's work is "One of the first works in the English language entirely devoted to medical electricity." "Carpue, a distinguished English surgeon, began his surgical studies at St. George's Hospital in London in 1796 after being educated in France and traveling widely in Europe, Scotland, and Wales. He was appointed to the surgical staff of the Duke of York's Hospital in Chelsea in 1799 and a year later began teaching anatomy. He achieved a substantial reputation as a teacher and surgeon and is perhaps best remembered for his An account of two successful operations for restoring a lost nose from the integuments of the forehead (London, 1816). Carpue was among the early users of electrotherapy and this book is fascinating reading as it reveals the hopes that all physicians have for the promise of new therapeutic modalities. Carpue was not easily deterred and he describes successful healings as well as case after case where the use of electrotherapy had no healing effect on the patient whatsoever. He used Galvanism to treat arthritis, fractures, venereal disease, amenorrhea, cataract, deafness, blindness, tumors, and many other diseases. Carpue also includes a discussion of the theory of electricity, many experiments with galvanism, and descriptions of various types of apparatus for producing electricity."
Dr. R. Batty was "conductor" (editor) of the London Medical and Physical Journal from 1800 to 1805. On p. 383 Volume 10 (June-Dec 1803) they report on experiments performed by Carpue: "Mr Carpue in the presence of Dr Pearson and several other medical gentlemen has repeated the Galvanic experiments on the body of Michael Carney the criminal lately executed in London for murder The principal object was to ascertain whether Galvanism applied immediately to the nerves could excite action in internal parts and particularly those subservient to respiration..." Dr. Batty and Dr. Carpue certainly were aware of each other.
Rare as a presentation copy.
Wheeler Gift #646. Heirs of Hippocrates #1204. Garrison/Morton 5th edition #1989. Mottelay's Bibliographical History of Electricity and Magnetism p375. Ronalds Library.
ITEM SOLD