Baillie, Morbid Anatomy, 1st American, 1795

BAILLIE, Matthew. The Morbid Anatomy of Some of the Most Important Parts of the Human Body. 1795.
 
First American edition after the first English of 1793 (Garrison-Morton 2281). 12mo in original full brown leather binding with black title plate and gold text on spine. Some mild scuffing of leather. Prior owners and library marks. Strong hinges. A clean, bright, and tight copy. 
 
Baillie’s book is the first systematic textbook on the subject of morbid anatomy. Baillie (1761 – 1823) was an English pathologist who is credited with the first descriptions of situs inversus as well as transposition of the great arteries. He studied under his uncle, the anatomist John Hunter. His older uncle, William Hunter, bequeathed him a large sum of money, his home, and a medical school with museum. Baillie was also “the last and most eminent owner of the famous gold-headed cane (No. 6709).” (G-M 2281).