DAVID, [Jean Pierre].

Imprimé à Rouen, chez A.F. Viret: et se vend a Paris, Chez la Veuve Vaillat-La-Chapelle… .1779

12mo, pp. xii, 164, (1) approbation. Contemporary blue marbled boards and sheep spine with black morocco label, red edges. Upper corners worn, otherwise a fine copy.

FIRST EDITION of a classic and very rare work in orthopaedics, important for showing the effect of movement and of rest in the treatment of joint conditions. David concluded “that to bring about anchylosis — to effect the union of bones — rest was beneficial, action was injurious. On the other hand, if anchylosis were to be avoided, as in injuries to the elbow or knee joints, then the opposite practice must be pursued — that of action or movement” (Keith). Even after the work of Hilton in the nineteenth century, modern surgeons came to accept the work of David. David also described the various types of spinal deformity consequent to vertebral disease in the same year that Pott published his account. In fact David’s book includes a description of Pott’s disease, with post-mortem findings, better than Pott’s own. G&M 4303. Bick, Source Book, p. 80. Keith, Menders of the Maimed, pp. 34 and 189–191: “…his famous essay.” Valentin, Geschichte der Orthopädie, p. 64. This was the only edition in French and the only separate edition.

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