LE DRAN, Henri-François.

A Paris: Chez la Veuve Delaguette,... .1756

2 works in 1 volume, 8vo, 1 leaf, pp. vii, (iii), 195, (5), and 6 folding engraved plates; pp. (iv), 97, (2), 2 folding engraved plates with 2 leaves of explanation. Tear across two plates neatly repaired without loss, strip torn from the surface of p. 91 of the Suite removing about 20 letters (supplied in pencil), otherwise excellent copies. Contemporary French mottled calf, spine gilt, red edges, small repairs to ends of spine and corners.

FIRST EDITION, including the rare Suite. G&M 4283. An important book in the history of lithotomy, as Le Dran evaluates the different methods of lithotomy just coming into use, with an account of his own experiences. In particular he discusses the methods of Rau and Cheselden, and in the Suite those of Foubert, Thomas, Le Cat, and Frère Côme. Le Dran made many improvements to lithotomy, and is credited by Murphy as the originator of the lateral operation usually attributed to Cheselden. Murphy, History of urology, pp. 115, etc. Despite the presence of the sixth plate of the forceps dated 1749, this is the first edition, and not the reprint of c. 1772 but still dated 1730 recorded by Wellcome. The Suite, published 26 years after the original work, is rare, and not normally found with it.

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