[Arab World-Medicine]. - Lot 146

[Arab World-Medicine]. MÉSUÉ, Joannes [Ibn Masawayh]. DUBOIS. De Re Medica, libri tre. Jacobo Sylvio medico interprete... Paris, Iacobum Gazellum (Jacque Gazeau or Gazellus), 1544. Large in-4 (28.8 x 20.8 cm), (16)-50-(1) pp. and pp. 51-350, on laid paper. Fine margins, large typographical mark by Gazellus, woodcut with motto, title and attractive lettering illustrated with figures. Contemporary soft-sewn overlapping vellum, smooth spine with title in ink (spine a little soiled, head cap missing, some nerves cut with part of spine detached inside, some lateral dampening, laces missing, traces of old restorations to vellum but interior remains fresh). Second Latin edition printed after that of 1542 (Wechel's privilege dated 1542 being reproduced on the verso of the title) bringing together three treatises by the 9th- or 10th-century Iraqi or Persian physician, Masawaih, Ibn Māsawayh known as Mésué (no doubt for several characters) translated by the anatomist Jacques Dubois, Jacobus Sylvius by his Latin name (1478-1555), who was also Vésale's teacher. The 3 treatises relate to pharmacopoeia, in which Dubois was a specialist; it was he who first used the Greek term pharmacopoeia to designate the knowledge required by physicians and apothecaries. The first text is Methodus medicamenta purgentia simplicia deligendi, the second De singulis medicamentis purgantibus deligendis & castigandis and the third De Antidotis. This last treatise is Mesue's main work, in which he presents recipes by type in chapters devoted to electuaries, opiates, solutions, confections, syrups, decoctions, trochisques, pills, powders, plasters, oils and more. Included are culinary recipes, particularly for sweets, which made "Mésué" one of the fathers of modern confectionery, while his innovations and pharmaceutical foundations met the needs of early medieval European medicine. A pleasant copy in contemporary vellum, with some handwritten annotations in Latin, probably late 16th century, glossing in-text or in the margins (pp. 3-38). The third treatise contains a few small annotations and modern pencil marks. No copy in the CCFr. Adams, II, 150. Not in Wellcome. Antique ex libris "Hémard" in pen on the first white endpaper and at the bottom of the title.