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MEAD ( Richard ), MD

Currency:EUR Category:Antiques / Books & Manuscripts Start Price:10.00 EUR Estimated At:80.00 - 100.00 EUR
MEAD ( Richard ), MD

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Auction Date:2012 Oct 19 @ 18:00 (UTC+1)
Location:38 Molesworth Street, Dublin, Dublin, ., Ireland
MEAD ( Richard ), MD, FRS. A mechanical account of poisons in several essays. The fourth edition. Dublin : Printed by S. Powell, for George Ewing, at the Angel and Bible, in Dame's-street, and John Watson, on the Merchant's-Key, near the Old-Bridge, 1736With a folding engraved plate, pages (8), 109, (3), 8vo, contemporary calf, gilt : old, neat, sympathetic rebacking, now a little worn but binding strong, otherwise a very good copy The second Irish edition : an edition not in Wellcome. A work which fully displayed Mead's commitment to Pitcairne's style of iatromechanics, stating that mathematical learning would soon distinguish a physician from a quack. However, Mead (1673-1754) was never known as a mathematician, and his book contained very little mathematical analysis. His emphasis was rather on mechanical chemistry, which explained phenomena in terms of particles of differing sizes and shapes. Mead added an attractive force to this chemistry which he identified with gravity, thus placing himself among the Newtonians. His most original contribution was his discussion of venomous snakes, which had been instigated by his studies with Paul Hermann at Leiden. Mead dissected several vipers and accurately described the mechanism of the fang and its operation. He also confirmed Galen's observation that a puncture wound was necessary for the venom to take effect, in part by swallowing a sample of venom without ill effect. His book also discussed, among other topics, noxious airs, citing the Grotta de' Cani near Naples, which Mead had visited in 1695. For therapies he recommended either a substance to neutralize the excess acidity of the poison or an external stimulant such as a cold bath which would keep the blood moving and prevent the formation of coagulated clusters of blood which he believed caused the symptoms in poisoning cases (ODNB).ENGLISH PRE 1801; DUBLIN PRINTED; MEDICINE; VENOM; POISONS; ; ; ; ; ; ;