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Title: Opera. Buecher und schrifften... [bound with] Chirurgische Buecher und Schrifften Author: Paracelsus, Theophrastus Place: Strassburg Publisher: Lazarus Zetzner Date: 1616 & 1618 Description: 3 volumes in one. (2nd work in 4 parts.) *6, a-z6, A-Z6, Aa-Zz6, AA-ZZ6, 3A-3D6, 3F8; (:)4, a-z6, A6(but lacking A5), B-2M6; ):(6, A-L6, M-N4, O-2D6, 2E8, 2F-2U6, 2X8, 2Y-3Y6, 3Z-4A4. Edited by Johannes Huser. Two title-pages with elaborate woodcut architectural borders. Woodcut portrait of Paracelsus. Illustrated with some diagrams and woodcut illustrations (particularly in magic section) and typographic tables. (folio) 12½x7¾, period blind-rolled pigskin over bevelled wooden boards, remnants of clasps. Massive collected edition of Paracelsus's works; very rare, and one of the most important texts in the transition from medieval to modern medicine. “Paracelsus is a phenomenon in the history of medicine, a genius tardily recognized, who in his impetuosity sought to overturn the old order of things, thereby rousing bitter antagonists…” Paracelsus firmly opposed the humoral theory of disease championed by Galen, advocated the use of specific remedies for specific diseases, introducing many chemicals (e.g., laudanum, mercury, sulfur, iron, and arsenic) into use as medicines; and noted relationships such as the hereditary pattern in syphilis and the association of cretinism with endemic goiter and of paralysis with head injuries. Paracelsus was a violent reformer who had a hot-blooded, polemical style and controversially lectured in German rather than the standard Latin. In his thirties he fled his post in Basle to live the life of a peripatetic visionary: “A typical vagrant, his subsequent life was spent in continual wandering, surrounded by a troop of adventurers, with the reputation of a charlatan, but all the while observing all things with remarkable zeal, and busied with the composition of his numerous works.” (Senfelder). This is one of the Huser editions, considered the best of the early collections, but still with some spurious works. See Senfelder, Catholic Enc. Sudhoff 300-2; Krivatsy 8558, 8568; Wellcome I, 4809, 4812. Lot Amendments Condition: Binding darkened and soiled; first title detached and laid in with edge-wear and slight loss at outer margin, large 1967 ownership inscription on front flyleaf; lacking A5 from second volume; final 7 index leaves with small losses and old paper repairs; usual browning; very good. Item number: 155972