Heading:
Author: Jenner, Edward
Title: An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolæ Vaccinæ, a Disease Discovered in some of the Western Counties of England, Particularly Gloucestershire, and Known by the Name of the Cow Pox.
Place Published: London
Publisher:Printed for the Author
Date Published: 1798
Description:

[iv], 75, [1 blank], [1, errata] pp. Four engraved plates printed in sanguine by William Skelton and finished by hand. Bound with: Jenner, Edward. Further Observations on the Variolæ Vaccinæ. or Cow Pox. London: For the Author, 1799. [ii], 64 pp. Half-title not present. (Folio) 28x21.5 cm (11x8½") later straight-grain red morocco, decorative gilt borders, spine ruled in gilt and with later black morocco labels. Custom full morocco clamshell box. First Edition of both parts.

"On the basis of an old country tradition that milkmaids who had contracted cowpox were not susceptible to smallpox, Jenner, an English country physician, decided to experiment by injecting cowpox-infected lymph into a local boy. After inoculation the boy was found to be immune to smallpox and Jenner continued his experiments. In 1798 he published the present epochal work, the results of a long and successful series of case histories. By 1803 his work had been translated into numerous languages and his method of immunization was taken up with amazing speed, becoming almost universally adopted. Garrison has called Jenner's work "one of the greatest triumphs in the history of medicine." It is the foundation of all subsequent work in immunology and virology." Heirs of Hippocrates, No. 1086 [& 1087]. Garrison and Morton 5423; Horblit 56; Norman 1162; PMM 250 (all for first part).

Spine darkened, joints and hinges restored, bookplate (Walter B. James, M.D.), small library stamp on verso of first part title page; foxing; very good. LOT AMENDED 2/4/2015 - The first work, “An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolæ Vaccinæ”, is lacking the half-title