Physic and fiction.

London: Hodder and Stoughton Limited, [1921]. 8vo. xi, [i], 307 pp. FIRST EDITION. Original maroon publisher’s cloth, some light wear to head and foot of spine; fly-leaves lightly browned. Item #11641

First edition of this extraordinary study of the relationship between medicine and literature and art. “There are questions whose medical bearing is as obvious as their general importance, though answers to them cannot be dictated by medicine . . . It may be easier to come to conclusions upon these, and similar debateable matters, if some of the reasons for and against prevalent views are set out. I have gone to well-known stories to illustrate certain of those views.” Topics include medical priestcraft, medicine of Dickens (with a note on Dr. Goodenough), and poisoning. Sprigge (1860-1937) completed his medical education at Caius College, Cambridge and at St. George’s Hospital. Rather than practice medicine, he pursued his literary interests, eventually becoming the editor of The Lancet. BMC, XXIII, 864.

Price: $45.00

See all items in Literature
See all items by , ,