Leçons sur les effets des substances toxiques et médicamenteuses

Paris: J B Baillière et Fils, 1857. FIRST EDITION. With 32 text illustrations. Contemporary blue quarter roan and marbled boards, rubbed; interior excellent. First edition of a series of lectures on the effects of toxins and their use as medical agents, more specifically carbon monoxide and curare. “Bernard included a summary of his experiments with curare in the Lecons to establish his priority in researching its effects. He demonstrated in these experiments the susceptibility of the nerve-muscle preparation to a chemical (pharmacological) effect” (G&M). These experiments led to further investigations on the nature of red blood cells and muscle excitability.