DAIGNAN, Guillaume.

A Paris: Chez l’auteur,… .1786

2 volumes, 8vo, 4 leaves, pp. v–xxiii, (i), 389; 2 leaves, 386 pages, 5 folding letterpress tables. Vol. 1 includes a 2-leaf dedication to the king bound between aii and aiii. Contemporary calf-backed boards, spines gilt, marbled sides and endpapers. Some small and very discreet repairs to the spines, short tear in the last folding table, otherwise an excellent copy.

FIRST EDITION. An extensive and very early study of children at the age of puberty, which includes such statistical information as comparative data and mortality tables. Daignan (1732–1812) was a military physician and physician in ordinary to the king. His principal interest was in the plight of urban youth. He concludes his work with tables of life expectancy based on variables of age, constitution, stature, physique, climate and soil, sex, occupation and disease. He surveyed 10,000 individuals with respect to mortality according to sex, age and occupation.

Unsure of some of these terms? Click here to download a copy of Carter & Barker, ABC for Book Collectors (2006), which has full explanations.