Aphorismi Secundum Doctrinam Galeni

MAIMONIDES, Moses (1138–1204). Aphorismi secundum doctrinam Galeni . – JOHANNES DAMASCENUS (MESUE) (c. 675–749). Aphorismi . – RHASIS (864⁄65–925⁄35). De secretis in medicina . – HIPPOCRATES (c. 460 –357 B.C.). Capsula eburnean . Bologna: Franciscus (Plato) de Benedictis, for Benedictus Hectoris, 29 May 1489. First edition commentary on Galen by “the greatest Jewish philosopher” (Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy). Maimonides, born in Spain, spent the greater part of his career in Egypt as court physician to the sultan and head of the Jewish community in Cairo. Best known for his legal, philosophical and theological works, he also composed a number of medical treatises. The present work, written in Arabic and translated into Hebrew and Latin, is “an analysis and critique of Galen’s theories relative to anatomy, physiology, diagnosis, therapeutics, fevers, bloodletting, emetics, surgery, hygiene, dietetics, drugs, and so forth” (Stillwell). Although Maimonides recognized Galen as his master, he also charged him with contradictions and with ignorance in matters of philosophy and theology. The present work contains 1,500 aphorisms from Galen and 42 critical comments. The Aphorisms of Mesue, attributed here and generally in late medieval tradition to Johannes Damascenus, are now thought to be the work of Mesue the Elder, the teacher of Johannitius (Hunayn ibn Ishaq). This work and the other two texts found in the present edition, Rhasis’ De secretis in medicina and Hippocrates’ Capsula eburnean , also known as the Liber prognosticorum , were first printed in Latin translation with the first edition of Rhasis’ Liber ad Almansorem . HC 10524*; GW M20016; Goff M-77;Klebs 644.1; BMC VI 824; Bod-inc M-024; BSB-Ink M-28; ISTC im00077000. Quarto (200 × 154mm). 158 leaves (a1, a8, C7 and C8 on tabs, repairs in C7 and C8, stain in text of p8 and q1, inkburn hole in C8, occasional light stains and soiling). Early limp vellum (remboîtage).

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