Gabriele Falloppio, 1566

FALLOPPIO, Gabriele (1522-1562). In Hippocratis librum de vulneribus capitis. Venice: Luca Bertello, 1566.

Exceptionally rare first edition of Falloppio's treatise on head wounds. Printed posthumously like most of his writings, this work was transcribed from lectures given by Falloppio at Padua, where he held the chair of Anatomy, and edited for publication by Giovanni Bonacci. It takes the form of an exposition and commentary on relevant passages of Hippocrates, addressing cranial anatomy and various ailments and their cures. The first to describe many physical features of the brain, Falloppio's work significantly advanced cranial surgery—although he was not himself a skilled surgeon. The publication is dedicated to the great Venetian printer Vincenzo Valgrisi. This is a scarce work absent from many standard medical bibliographies; RBH only records one other copy at auction. Adams F-142.; Bruni Celli 1334 (with incorrect citation of the printer and erroneous collation); not in Norman, Waller, or Wellcome.

Quarto (207 x 151mm). Woodcut initials (first and last gatherings reinforced with new paper, a few blank corners clipped). Modern carta rustica. Provenance: a few contemporary marginal comments and marks.