[Rarebooks] FS: Nathaniel Hodges, MD, Plague physician in London, with foldout table.

[Ezra Tishman]

Ezra from Aardvark posts this copy of the third edition of Nathaniel Hodges’s Plague-era classic, Loimologia, with an added essay by John Quincy on causes of pestilence. Thanks for taking a look:



Hodges, Nathaniel.,MD.  LOIMOLOGIA OR AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE PLAGUE IN LONDON IN 1665.WITH PRECAUTIONARY DIRECTIONS AGAINST THE LIKE CONTAGION. To which is added, An Essay (by John Quincy) on the different Causes of Pestilential Diseases, and how they become Contagious; with Remarks on the Infection now in France, and the most probably means to prevent its Spreading here. London.: Printed for E. Bell at the Cross Keys and Bible in Cornhill; and J. Osborn at the Oxford-Arms in Lombard-Street, 1721. "Third edition (with large additions)". 8vo. Calf over marbled boards. Hinges started but holding. 224 pp.

Originally published in Latin in 1672 as "Loimologia, sive Pestis nuperæ apud Populum Londinensem grassantis Narratio Historica", this is likely the second edition in English, third overall. Contemporary bracketing, underlining and marginalia — even corrections — by the book's eighteenth century physician-owner, who also noted, at top of title page: "Lent April 11, 1785". Light foxing throughout. Fold-down table (14" x 7 1/2") at rear "A Table of the Funerals in the Several Parishes within the Bills of Mortality of the City of London, for the Year 1665” 

Dr. Hodges at least considered and where practical, tried many of the folk remedies for pestilence: "Hodges was an observer both of symptoms and the results of treatment. Bezoar, unicorn's horn, and dried toads he tried and found useless, but he recognised the merit of serpentary as a diaphoretic, and of hartshorn as a cardiac stimulant” (DNB). As for the above-mentioned unicorn's horn, the author duly mused upon the likely existence of same.Reading-ish and appropriately priced copy of this fascinating account of this tireless and dedicated physician who provided up-front first-hand observation and treatment of symptoms of the Bubonic Plague in 17th century London. 

Anecdotally, Dr. Hodges seemed to cure himself of the two instances of showing obvious symptoms of the plague, by increasing his nightly intake of sack. In his later years, after his practice fell off, Dr. Hodges was imprisoned for debt at Ludgate, and died there June 10th, 1688.   $450.                                   									



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