[Rarebooks] FS: THE FIRST AMERICAN TEXTBOOK ON PSYCHIATRY, 1812

[Charles Agvent]

RUSH, Benjamin. MEDICAL INQUIRIES AND OBSERVATIONS UPON THE DISEASES OF 
THE MIND. Philadelphia: Kimber & Richardson, 1812. First Edition. Octavo 
(5-1/4" x 8-1/2") bound in full contemporary calf leather with a 
gilt-ruled spine and gilt-lettered burgundy morocco spine label, early 
rebacking; iii-viii, [9]-367, [1], [4 1-advertisement for Kimber & 
Richardson Medical Books] pages. THE FIRST AMERICAN TEXTBOOK ON 
PSYCHIATRY with some appreciation of psychoanalysis. AUSTIN, 1670: 
Second Issue (It appears that no one has firm evidence of the existence 
of a first issue.); GARRISON-MORTON, 4924; NORMAN,1867: "This is the 
first psychiatric treatise produced by an American native, representing 
the first attempt made in the United States to place the study of mental 
illness on a scientific foundation." Not all of Rush's observations were 
very enlightened. For example, Rush believed that dreams were the effect 
of unsound or imperfect sleep "induced by morbid or irregular action in 
the blood-vessels of the brain, and hence it is accompanied with the 
same erroneous train, or the same incoherence of thought, which takes 
place in delirium. This is so much the case, that a dream may be 
considered as a transient paroxysm of delirium, and delirium as a 
permanent dream. It differs from madness in not being attended with 
muscular action. As dreams are generally accompanied with distress, and 
are often premonitory signs of acute diseases, their cure is an 
important object of the science of medicine. Their remote cause are an 
increase, or diminution, of stimuli upon the brain" (pages 300-301). As 
a cure Rush suggests "a draught of porter, a glass of wine, or a dose of 
opium" (page 302). Commenting on the "frequent and rapid transition of 
the mind from one subject to another," Rush states that "it is said that 
booksellers have sometimes become deranged from this cause." Perhaps he 
did know what he was talking about. Early bookplate on front and rear 
pastedowns of "Doctr Wright's SI MUTUARIS REDDE." Ink stamp of "T. H. 
Wright" on top margin of title page with small ink name of C.W. G. 
Rohrer on front endpaper. Fairly even, typical browning of the text due 
to the quality of the paper; old dampstaining to margins of some pages. 
Very Good.

Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was also one 
of the most respected medical doctors and theorists in America. He 
served as Surgeon General to the Continental Army during the American 
Revolution and was present at most of the major battles in New Jersey 
and Pennsylvania. The emblem of the American Psychiatric Association 
bears his portrait.
  (#020852)        $1,250

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