Title: Trois Livres Appartenant aux Infirmitez et Maladies des Femmes, 1582. A Rare First Edition of This Pioneering Treatise and Medical Textbook on Women’s Diseases
Author: Jean Liébault; Possibly Copying Giovanni Marinello
Publisher: Paris, chez Jacques du Puys
Condition: Very Good
A scarce, late 16th century, first edition of Liébault’s Three Books Pertaining to the Infirmities and Diseases of Women, being one of the first treatises published in France dealing exclusively with women's diseases.
The work addresses infertility, pregnancy, menstruation, and female infirmities, with commentary from Liébault on uterine disorders and emphasizing empirical observation. The work was highly influential in French gynaecology, marking a step toward modern gynecology by integrating Renaissance anatomical insights and promoting preventive care for women, and being published several times. Among many other notes, the work also has one of the first accounts of hot flashes, described as petite rougers by Liébault.
It has been disputed that Liébault’s work is a copy of Giovanni Marinello’s 1563 Italian treatise Le medicine partenenti alle infermità delle donne, though this has been historically disputed.
Born in Dijon, Liébault largely practiced medicine in Paris, becoming physician to Catherine de Bourbon, sister of Henry IV.
He married Nicole Estienne, daughter of the famed printer Charles Estienne.
Careful collation and comparison to digitized copies indicates that this is the 1582 first edition, as per 30811 on USTC.
USTC records 11 existing copies of this edition in libraries.
One finely bound volume in octavo, (14 of 16)+923+(21) pages
This volume is in very good shape, with minor wear and wear to the binding. There is minor foxing and soiling throughout.