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) with new marbled boards and brown leather spine. Black title plate, raised bands, and gold text and lines on spine. New end papers. 80 elaborate plates of surgical operations, also advertisements at front and end matter (rear advert’s trimmed of most of their margins—all other margins well retained). Includes prospectus and sample plate for a forthcoming title on midwifery. Text pages mostly bright. Some foxing and frequent browning of page edges. This title is somewhat notorious for the plates browning and foxing, and this copy is no different (see photos) with some plates brighter than others. 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! An attractive copy recently rebound in period-style quarter leather binding.