PORTAL, Paul.
La Pratique des Accouchemens soutenue d’un grand nombre d’observations.
A Paris: De l’Imprimerie de Gabriel Martin, et se vend chez l’Auteur, ruë Saint Martin... .1685
8vo, pp. (xx), 368, fine engraved frontispiece portrait of the author holding a copy of his book, and 8 engraved plates. Small ink smudge in upper margin of title and upper inner margin torn away, 4 cm paper flaw in C1 and C4 without loss, paper lightly browned and plates more heavily so. Contemporary calf, spine gilt (but dull), upper joint repaired. Fine engraved bookplate of the sugeon Delafaye (possibly Georges Delafaye, 1699–1781), and with his signature on the title; also of Rubion.
FIRST EDITION. G&M 6148. Portal was the first to appreciate the situation in placenta praevia, and had a clear insight into the actual findings and management of that entity, which is probably his most important contribution to the science of midwifery. He also demonstrated that version could be done with one foot, and taught that face presentation usually ran a normal course. Portal was a pupil of Mauriceau, and worked with him in the Hôtel Dieu. This important and eminently practical treatise was based on his personal experiences and observations. The plates depict abnormal and monstrous foetuses. See Cutter & Viets pp. 81–83.
£1,200.00
In stock
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