Smith, Treatise on Neuroma, 1849
A Treatise on the Pathology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Neuroma. By Robert W. Smith, M.D., T.C.D., M.R.I.A., Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Lecturer on Surgery at the Richmond Hospital School of Medicine, Surgeon to the Talbot Dispenssary, House of Industry, and the lunatic asylum at Island-Bridge, Secretary to the Society of Dublin, Fellow of the Royal Medico-Chirurgical Society of London. Dublin: Hodges and Smith, Grafton-Street, Booksellers to the University. 1849.
Half green buckram cloth with original front board (title page reproduced on board). New spine, corners, and rear board. New end papers. Front board with scattered scuffs, stains, and early ink scribbles (over prior inscription?). Scattered marginal smudges. Recent marginal paper repair to bottom of B. Old paper repairs to G and H involving several lines of text, and fore-edge. Most plates 1, 7, 9 have marginal tears (repaired on verso), some partially involving images—not offensive. Damp stain of corners of plates, and fore-edge of last plate. Several additional small marginal tears throughout, not involving text or images. Joints/hinges strong. Binding tight. Margins ample. Minimal foxing. Mostly bright.
New ffep, title, 28, 15 plates, blank, new rfep.
25 ¾ x 17 ½ x ¾ inches.
Robert William Smith (1807 - 1873). G-M 4529: “Smith’s large and beautifully illustrated atlas contains the first clear description and illustration of neurofibromatosis, published 33 years before von Recklinghausen’s account of the disorder (see No. 4566). This disease, which affects the skin and nerves, is characterized by light brown dermal spots and fibrous tumors associated with tumors of nerve trunks and fibrous bone lesions. Measuring about 67.5 x 46 cm., this atlas has been called the largest book from the standpoint of format published in Ireland up to this time.”
See also Heirs 1698: “Smith is regarded as one of Ireland's most eminent surgeons and anatomists. He was the first appointee to the chair of surgery at Trinity College, served as lecturer on surgery at the Richmond Hospital School of Medicine, and was surgeon to the Talbot Dispensary and the Lunatic Asylum at Island Bridge. Together with Stokes (see No. 1663 ff.), he founded the Pathological Society and served as its secretary for many years. He described generalized neurofibromatosis (Recklinghausen's disease) in A treatise on the pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of neuroma (Dublin, 1849) over thirty years before Recklinghausen published his findings.”
