Cheyne, Essay on Health and Long Life, 1724 (1st ed)

An Essay of Health and Long Life. By George Cheyne, M.D. F.R.S. London: Printed for George Strahan, at the Golden Ball over-against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill; and J. Leake, Bookseller at Bath. 1724 
 
Early full speckled brown leather ruled in blind and gold with original spine laid over later leather restoration. Black title label and raised bands on spine. Leather a bit scuffed and with scattered small stains. Corners bumped and split. Red speckled page edges. Front hinge strengthened; rear hinge cracked; but joints strong. 18th century book plate and inscription by Robert Dell on front paste down. Early scribbled-over ink name on title page. M – O1 starting. A few marginal pencil markings in prelims. Otherwise, clean and bright throughout with minimal foxing. 
 
Ffep, blank, title, (1) xx (24) 232, blank, rfep. 
 
George Cheyne (1671 – 1743). Heirs 761: “A Scottish physician and mathematician, Cheyne lived in Scotland for the first three decades of his life before moving to London in the early 1700s. His medical treatises on fevers and gout did not contribute appreciably to the advancement of science but were popular largely because Cheyne possessed a superior literary style. With the exception of his book on geometry, his works 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--at one time he weighed over 440 pounds. In this book, he sets forth his philosophy and rules for those who desire to live a long and healthy life.” Apparently well-received, the book was in its fifth edition by 1725 (this first edition being 1724).