MAGENDIE, FRANCOIS Precis elementaire de physiologie. Paris: Mequignon-Marvis, 1816- 1817
8vo. 2 volumes. Contemporary quarter leather on marble boards. Collation: [4] vi, 326 p.; [4], 473 p. End of spines frayed, more so in vol. 2. Corners bumped. Internal condition very good.
According to Garrison and Morton (597.1, 1041.1), this is "the first modern physiology textbook in which doctrine gave way to simple, precise descriptions of experimental facts. Vol. 2 contains Magendie's classic demonstration of the importance of nitrogenous food, or protein, in the food supply of mammals. In the course of his experiments on dogs fed non-nitrogenous substancfes, Magendie also induced the first experimental cases of an avitaminosis (specifically, lack of vitamin A). " This work also established Magendie as founder of toxicology and piorneer expermimental physiologist (Heirs, 1379). Magendie’s research also established him as the first to show conclusively that the section foth e anterior spinal nerve roots affected motility but not sensation, and vice versa as to the posterior roots. (Heirs). Provenance: Book plate of Victor de Laprade on front paste downs. Mr. Laprade was a distinguished French poet and critic. He was also a remarkable educational and aesthetical writer. Early in his education he studied medicine then law, and was admmited to the bar. He left law to become a professor of French literature at Lyons. These two volumes from Laprade's library most likely relate to his earlier interest in medicine. (Heirs of Hippocrates, 1379; Norman, 1416)
$US1000
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