SALICETO, Guilelmus de (1210–1277). Summa conservationis et curationis. Chirurgia. Venice: [Marinus Saracenus], 8 May 1490.

First surgical book in print, third Latin edition. Saliceto wrote his Summa in 1276 and stressed the importance of considering surgery in addition to internal medicine. The work comprises books on: internal diseases (Book I), wounds (Book II), fractures and dislocations (Book III), surgical anatomy (Book IV) and cautery (Book V). The fourth book is the first work on surgical anatomy, and the first two chapters of the second book discuss head injuries, with Saliceto noting the occurrence of weakness on the side opposite to the wound. Saliceto also addresses spinal injuries and the doctor-patient relationship in terms of ethical and psychological considerations. Saliceto’s pupil Lanfranco set up a practice in France and in turn taught Guido de Cauliaco, becoming the two founders of modern French surgery. HC *14145; BMC V 414; BSB-Ink G-515; GW M39458; Goff S-34; Klebs 487.3; ISTC is00034000.

Chancery folio (299 × 204mm). 178 leaves (including first blank). Initial spaces with guide-letters (neatly repaired minor marginal wormholes most prevalent in first and last few quires; light mostly marginal stains, a bit heavier in a few leaves; some leaves browned; last quire sprung). Early flexible vellum, manuscript title on spine (ties wanting, trimmed). Provenance: early manicules and annotations inserting chapter headings and commentary.