Human Monstrosities

Philadelphia: Lea Brothers & Co, 1891. First Ediition. Hardcover. Very Good/No Jacket. Folio (large). 4 Volumes. Bound in buckram in blue and green boards (not uniform). University markings stamped in gilt. Vol. I: [11] 12-88 p.p. with [7] plates; Vol. II: [9] 90-1112 p.p., [13] plates; Vol. III: [11] 113-150 p.p., [9] plates; Vol. IV: [9] 152-220 p.p. with [10] plates. A total of 39 plates photographic reproductions of physiological malformations, plus 111 woodcut illustrations in-text. The bookplates of the John Crerar and University of Chicago Libraries, with deaccession stamps. Embossed stamp of Crerar Library on title pages and some leaves. Crerar stamps to verso of some plates. Rubbing to edges and scuffs to boards. Bruising to spine ends with slight bumping at corners. Sporadic smudges to pages and chipping at edges, with old closed tear repairs. Front fly-leaf and title page in Vol. III detached. Otherwise in very good condition of this complete set. A treatise on teratology, the work was intended for practitioners and obstetricians to consult on physiological abnormalities encountered in medicine. At the time of its publication, serious works in teratology in English were scattered. The authors, medical doctors at the University of Pennsylvania, hoped to fill a need in medical literature in the 19th century. Barton Cooke Hirst [1861-1935] was a Professor of obstetrics, and founded a maternity hospital at the university in 1892. Hirst's work was influential in developing education in the field. George Arthur Piersol [1856-1924) was a professor emeritus of anatomy at the University of Pennsylvania. He published textbooks on Histology and Anatomy, and was a specialist in embryology. Vol. I of Human Monstrosities focuses on the classification and production of malformations. Vol.'s II-IV continue to provide descriptions of the malformations. Vol. IV includes a bibliography of works published on teratology, and an index. The book was simultaneously published in Edinburgh and London by J. Pentland. "The first large work on the subject illustrated primarily by photographs." (Garrison-Morton).