BLONDEL, François.
Thermarum Aquisgranensium, et Porcetanarum elucidatio, & thaumaturgia. Sive admirabilis earumdem natura, & admirabiliores sanationes; qua producunt in usibus balneationis, potationis.
Aachen, Johann Heinrich Clemens, 1688. 4to. With an engraved frontispiece with letterpress imprint and built-up border, Aachen coat of arms pasted on back of frontispiece, engraved coats of arms of 4 dedicatees on back of title-page, full-page engraved portrait of the author, folding engraved plan of Aachen (22.5 x 27 cm), folding engraved view of Burtscheid (11.5 x 24 cm) and 16 smaller engravings in text, depicting scenes and buildings relating to the springs. Contemporary flower-decorated paper over boards, red sprinkled edges. [32], 160, [1], [1 blank] pp.
€ 2,750
Third revised edition of Blondel's famous work on the composition and medicinal values of the sulphur springs in Aachen and Burtscheid. The Flemish doctor François Blondel (1613-1703), whose full-page engraved portrait is inserted after the table of contents, devoted his life to the promotion of the medicinal qualities of these springs. Since Roman times, the springs were known to provide relief against rheumatism, gout and scrofulous disorders. Blondel became inspector of the springs in 1666 and instituted a drinking course of the mineral water. Blondel's promotion of the springs also provided the city of Aachen, which suffered a major fire in 1656, with an important source of income.
Blondel first published the first edition in 1671, the second in 1685 and the present third enlarged edition appeared in 1688. It includes recommendations from Dutch and German doctors, signed 1687 and 1688. It was translated into German and Dutch.
In good condition with only a few small stains. Binding slightly rubbed and spine damaged (lacking most of the backstrip). The definitive edition, rarely found complete with all plates. ADB II, p. 721; Krivatsy 1393; NBG V, cols. 251-261; VD17 23:239697E; Waller 1151; Wellcome II, p. 182.
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