B164890

Shelfmark

7.1 PAR

Author

Pare, A. (trans. Johnson, T.)

Title

[The Workes of that famous chirurgeon Ambrose Parey, Translated out of the Latin ...], [Missing tp, spine title is] The Works of Ambrose Parey

Edition

1st English

Publication, distribution, etc.

[London: T. Cotes & R. Young], 1634

Physical description

(vi), 3-487, 553-1083,1093-1173, (18), 32 cm

Biographical or historical data

This is the 1634 English edition of the collected works of Ambroise Paré (c.1510-1590). The work was translated from Latin and is the first comprehensive English translation by Thomas Johnson, printed by Thomas Cotes and Richard Young. Paré’s output of material greatly benefited from the printing press. In the translated edition by Thomas Johnson, this edition was lavishly illustrated with around 300 woodcut illustrations, including detailed anatomical and surgical figures. Printing allowed for consistent, detailed and importantly accurate anatomical diagrams. This meant these diagrams could be shared, which is much harder with hand-copied manuscripts. It serves as a cornerstone text in medical history, bridging Renaissance French surgical expertise with 17th-century English practitioners.

Ambroise Paré (1510–20 December 1590) was a French barber-surgeon who served several French monarchs and is widely regarded as one of the founders of modern surgery and forensic pathology. A pioneer in battlefield medicine, he transformed the treatment of traumatic wounds through careful observation and practical innovation. At a time when surgeons were viewed as inferior to university-trained physicians — because they worked with their hands rather than practising “pure” medicine — Paré challenged convention by publishing his findings, despite criticism from members of the medical establishment.

Throughout his life, Paré served in military campaigns during wartime and cared for the poor and sick of Paris in times of peace. He made major advances in amputation techniques and significantly improved the design of limb prostheses. Known as the “father of modern surgery,” he revolutionised wound care by replacing the common and dangerous practice of cauterising wounds with boiling oil with a far gentler medicinal ointment. He also introduced the use of arterial ligatures — tying off blood vessels with silk threads — to control bleeding, a technique that reduced shock, pain, and mortality and marked a turning point in surgical practice.

A section of the book, entitled “The Monsters and Marvels,” includes images and stories of imagined and speculative creatures such as sea monsters, alongside real cases such as conjoined twins and intersex people. It also features individuals who have undergone limb removal or amputation. Throughout history, people with visible differences were frequently labelled as “monsters” or “marvels,” due to theological and scientific misunderstandings and intolerance.

Subject

HISTORY MEDICINE SURGERY (Categories)

001B164890

003UKLeTMM

00520260521150739.5

096##$a7.1 PAR

100##$aPare, A. (trans. Johnson, T.)

245##$a[The Workes of that famous chirurgeon Ambrose Parey, Translated out of the Latin ...]$b[Missing tp, spine title is] The Works of Ambrose Parey

250##$a1st English

260##$b[London: T. Cotes & R. Young]$c1634

300##$a(vi), 3-487, 553-1083,1093-1173, (18)$c32 cm

545##$aThis is the 1634 English edition of the collected works of Ambroise Paré (c.1510-1590). The work was translated from Latin and is the first comprehensive English translation by Thomas Johnson, printed by Thomas Cotes and Richard Young. Paré’s output of material greatly benefited from the printing press. In the translated edition by Thomas Johnson, this edition was lavishly illustrated with around 300 woodcut illustrations, including detailed anatomical and surgical figures. Printing allowed for consistent, detailed and importantly accurate anatomical diagrams. This meant these diagrams could be shared, which is much harder with hand-copied manuscripts. It serves as a cornerstone text in medical history, bridging Renaissance French surgical expertise with 17th-century English practitioners. Ambroise Paré (1510–20 December 1590) was a French barber-surgeon who served several French monarchs and is widely regarded as one of the founders of modern surgery and forensic pathology. A pioneer in battlefield medicine, he transformed the treatment of traumatic wounds through careful observation and practical innovation. At a time when surgeons were viewed as inferior to university-trained physicians — because they worked with their hands rather than practising “pure” medicine — Paré challenged convention by publishing his findings, despite criticism from members of the medical establishment. Throughout his life, Paré served in military campaigns during wartime and cared for the poor and sick of Paris in times of peace. He made major advances in amputation techniques and significantly improved the design of limb prostheses. Known as the “father of modern surgery,” he revolutionised wound care by replacing the common and dangerous practice of cauterising wounds with boiling oil with a far gentler medicinal ointment. He also introduced the use of arterial ligatures — tying off blood vessels with silk threads — to control bleeding, a technique that reduced shock, pain, and mortality and marked a turning point in surgical practice. A section of the book, entitled “The Monsters and Marvels,” includes images and stories of imagined and speculative creatures such as sea monsters, alongside real cases such as conjoined twins and intersex people. It also features individuals who have undergone limb removal or amputation. Throughout history, people with visible differences were frequently labelled as “monsters” or “marvels,” due to theological and scientific misunderstandings and intolerance.

650#4$aHISTORY MEDICINE SURGERY

852##$aLibrary