A Critical Enquiry into the Present State of Surgery. The third edition.

London:: Printed for J. and R. Tonson and S. Draper, 1754., 1754. 8vo. [viii], 314, [5], [1] pp. Woodcut head & tail pieces, postscript; some foxing and light staining. Complete. Original full speckled calf, gilt rules, spine with raised bands, small maroon spine label with gilt-stamped title; rubbed, considerable ink markings to endsheets (front mostly). Early ownership signatures of someone on title (unreadable) and William Chambers, Broadxxxxxx[?], 1827. Sharp writes with clarity and gives a narrative of the complications. His discussion of the different types of hernias is detailed, the same with his extensive descriptions of hydroceles and cataracts. (truncated) In amputation he addresses the constant concerns with gangrene, or mortification (as he uses the terms interchangeably), noting how much concern these bring to the patient and surgeon. While he does not deal at all with the causes and proximity of these issues, he is nonetheless notable for his work on advancing surgical practice. He also references classic medical writers on the same subjects, such as Le Dran, De la Faym Pare, Heister, Morand, Petit, Garengeot, Wiseman, Hippocrates, Celsus, Paulus AEgineta, and Albucasis. / With material on: Hernias, the hydrocele, of the sarcocele, puncture of the perinaeum & diseases of the urethra, cutting for the stone, tumors of the gall-bladder, stones of the bladder, of the empyema, brain concussions, the fistula lachrymalis, polypus, tonsils, cataract, of amputations. / The provenance is written into this copy, but the names are difficult to get the details right for - William Chambers could be a member of the Royal College of Physicians, if so then Chambers lived 1699-1785. / See: Alvin A. Hubbell, "Samuel Sharp, the First Surgeon to make the Corneal Incision in Cataract Extraction with a Single Knife." Medical Library and Historical Journal, 1904 Oct; 2(4): 242.1–268. (Inventory #: M14510)