Pancoast, Operative Surgery, 1844

A Treatise on Operative Surgery; Comprising a Description of the Various Processes of the Art, Including All the New Operations. By Joseph Pancoast. 1844 Tall quarto/small folio volume (approx 12 x 10 x 1 3/4 inches) rebound in red half leather binding with marbled paper over boards. New end papers. 80 elaborate plates of surgical operations, also advertisements at front and end matter. Includes prospectus (but lacking the sample obstetric plate) for a forthcoming title on midwifery at the back of the book. Text pages mostly bright. Some foxing and frequent browning of page edges. This title is somewhat notorious for the plates browning and foxing, but this copy is comparatively fresh (see photos) with some plates brighter than others. 19th century owners signature inside. Damp stain marginally affecting first few leaves and title page, which also has a small marginal tear. Binding is tight. Topics in this book include bloodletting, amputations, mandibular resection, ophthalmology, etc etc. The name of Pancoast is immortalized in the Pancoast tumor (involvement of the brachial plexus by direct extension of malignant neoplasia of the upper lobe of the lung). This work was an instant success, a standard in its field, and remains highly praised and sought after! Garrison-Morton 5598: “...the first extensive section on plastic surgery in an American surgical textbook.” A very good and complete copy, recently rebound in period-style quarter leather binding.