Hunter, Venereal Disease, 1788

A Treatise on the Venereal Disease. By John Hunter. Second Edition. London; sold at No 13, Castle-Street, Leicester-Square; and by Mr. G. Nicol, Pall-Mall; and Mr. J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church-Yard. 1788. 
 
First edition is Heirs 969. First American edition was later published in 1818. 
Heirs 969 is the first edition: John hunter 1728-1793: “During Hunter's time, venereal diseases were thought to be caused by a single pathogen. In order to test this theory, Hunter inoculated himself with matter taken from a patient who had gonorrhea; however, unknown to Hunter, the individual also had syphilis. As a result, Hunter contracted syphilis and concluded that the theory of a single pathogen was correct. Because of his reputation and authority, the experiment slowed for many years the development of knowledge about gonorrhea and syphilis.” 
 
However, see G-M 2377 & 5197: “In Hunter's day venereal diseases were thought to be due to a single poison. To test this theory Hunter experimented with matter taken from a gonorrhoeal patient who, unknown to Hunter, also had syphilis. Hunter maintained that gonorrhoea and syphilis were caused by a single pathogen. Backed by the weight of his authority, this experiment retarded the development of knowledge regarding the two diseases. Contrary to legend, however, there is no proof that Hunter actually inoculated himself with venereal disease. The hard (“Hunterian”) chancre eponymizes Hunter; his book also contains the first suggestion of lymphogranuloma venereum as a separate disease, and this work also makes a major contribution to urological surgery. Hunter issued this book at his private press at his anatomy school, the address for which he provided on the title page.” 
 
Later brown half leather with marbled boards. Title label and raised bands on spine. Mild sunning. Scattered mild toning and foxing, but mostly clean and bright. Binding tight. Some damp stain to plates, images largely uninvolved. 
 
Later rfep and blank, title - (x) 398, 7 plates + 7 pages of explanation, (12), later blank and rfep.