Accidental and congenital atresia of the vagina with a mode of operating for successfully establishing the canal

New York: Bradstreet Press, 1866. First edition.

1866 REPORT OF 2 CASES OF VAGINAL ATRESIA AND THEIR SURGICAL CORRECTION BY NOTED IRISH-AMERICAN SURGEON AT NEW YORK STATE WOMEN'S HOSPITAL--SIGNED BY AUTHOR.

9 1/2 inches tall thin monograph in gray paper wraps, author's inscription to title page, his ink inscription and signature top of first page of text, "Fordham University Library Medical Department/ from/ Thos. Addis Emmet, M.D./ May 23rd 1906," [2], 17 pp. Edges of paper wraps browned and chipped, string binding partially perished, text pages clean, good only.

Contains case reports of 2 patients, one with acquired and the other with congenital vaginal atresia. Dr. Emmet emphasizes the importance of avoiding cutting tissue with a knife, which leads to formation of adhesions and scarring. Instead, he recommends the use of digital dissection to obtain better long-term results.

THOMAS ADDIS EMMET (1826-1919) was the grandson of Thomas Addis Emmet, a noted attorney, and son of Dr. John Patten Emmet, selected by Thomas Jefferson as one of the original faculty of the University of Virginia. Thomas Addis Emmet was a poor student at UVa, and requested help from Professor Robley Dunglison who had also been recruited by Jefferson to join the new medical faculty, but had moved to join the faculty of Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Thomas Addis transferred to Philadelphia, earning his MD in 1850. He subsequently moved to New York State Women's Hospital where he became surgeon-in-chief with a busy clinical practice and influential publications. After his death in New York, his remains were temporarily placed in his vault in White Plains until suitable arrangements could be made for his burial at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin (in the country of origin for his family).