A Dissertation on the Extraordinary Attributes, and Inherent Virtues of Fixed Phlogistic Earth, first discovered at Venice by Doctor Innocenzo Della Lena . . . Submitted to the Royal Society of Arts, and Sciences of London, for the Purpose of Undergoing a Chymical Analysis and Public Trial, as an universal and infallible Remedy in every Distemper, External or Internal, Acute, or Chronic, incident to the Human Frame . . .
London: Printed by W. Glindon, Rubert-Street, Hay-Market, [1801]. First edition. Stitched pamphlet (lacks upper wrapper; lower blue sugar paper wrapper present), 9.13 x 5.75 inches, [1-2]; [i]-vii, [1]; [3]-64 pages, untrimmed. Untrimmed edges somewhat dust-soiled and a bit worn; some light general soiling and light wear; a very good copy. Item #20075
"Gout--venereal complaints in the fourth degree--scurvy in the third and fourth degrees--melancholy--mania--dropsy, especially that called the dry dropsy of the belly, and breast--asthma--paralysis--hemiplegia--catalepsy--and gravel, all require a greater length of time for their radical cure, than other chronic disorders." An extended advertisement for a patent panacea from Della Lena, who here decries obstinate opposition from "the hacknied course of *academic science."* (Della Lena includes several anecdotes of backroom dealings, cries of quackery behind closed doors, the Medical Society acting in bad faith, etc.) Della Lena signs his preface No. 16, Gerrard-Streert, Soho, Feb. 1801; British Patent Office records note that he had been granted his patent for his phlogisitical earth on 2 August 1800. The Monthly Review of Setember, 1802 gives the pamphlet (advertised for 3s) a brief and not entirely hostile notice, "This pamphlet is nothing more than an advertisement of a quack medicine. . . . We must admire the author's ingenuity, however, who not only saves the duty on advertisements by appearing in a pamphlet, but contrives to get a few shillings into his pocket, from unwary purchasers, into the bargai ."
Price: $250.00