An Essay on Health and Long Life. The Second Edition.
London: George Strahan, 1725.
Octavo (19.2 x 12 cm.), 232 pages. Second Edition, following the first of 1724. Cheyne (1673?–1743), a native of Methlick, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and a disciple of Dr. Archibald Pitcairn, was professor of medicine at Edinburgh and a follower of Pitcairn's iatromathematical school of medical science. Cheyne's several medical works "were popular largely because Cheyne possessed a superior literary style. . . . [They] appear to have been prepared primarily for the lay reader. Much of the commonplace advice he gives in these works was based upon his own hypochondria, gouty arthritis, and continual struggle with obesity. . . . In this book, he sets forth his philosophy and rules for those who desire to live a long and healthy life" (Heirs of Hippocrates). The chapters are: Of art, Of meat and drink, Of sleeping and watching, Of exercise and quiet, Of our evacuations and their obstructions, Of the passions, and Miscellany observations. Attractively re-backed, with original paneled calf boards. Corners worn. Bookplate of Lord Eliock, (James Veitch) to the front paste down; ink ownership inscription to verso of title page, and initials to other pages. [Freeman 1979, page 64 (one of the one hundred classic works on aging); Blake, page 86; Heirs of Hippocrates 761; Osler 2303); Wellcome II page 338].
Price: $400.00