Item #284 An Inquiry into the Nature and Treatment of the Prevailing Epidemic called Spotted Fever, &c. &c., in Three Parts. Job Wilson.
An Inquiry into the Nature and Treatment of the Prevailing Epidemic called Spotted Fever, &c. &c., in Three Parts

An Inquiry into the Nature and Treatment of the Prevailing Epidemic called Spotted Fever, &c. &c., in Three Parts

Boston: Bradford & Read, 1815. 8vo. 213 x 125 mm. (8 1/4 x 5 inches). 216 [4] pp., including a leaf of instructions to the binder and errata leaf. Illustrated with 5 engraved plates. Contemporary mottled calf, leather label on spine; upper and lower margins with tide marks, some natural toning to the paper, otherwise quite a good copy. Presentation copy to Richard Fletcher whose inscription appears on the front fee endpaper (detached) and the title-page.

First edition. Attractive copy of Job Wilson’s study of the influence of climate on the epidemic of spotted fever (meningitis) that spread throughout New England in the first years of the 19th century. Organized in three parts, Wilson begins with a short description of the climate in New England from 1630 until 1806. Wilson expands the details of his study to show climate variations from 1801 to 1814 and their correlation with the rise and fall of the disease. This is one of the earliest studies in America to offer data on climate and disease, with specific reference to the outbreak of spotted fever in 1807, 1809, 1811-1815. Part two of the Wilson's study describes the cause for the fever with reference to its impact on the lungs, liver and brain. Part three discusses the ways of preventing the disease and its spread from person to person.

The unsigned engravings illustrate the impact of the spotted fever on the nervous system, lungs and heart.

Austin 2074. (284). Item #284

Price: $400.00

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