Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 116

JEAN GERSON (1363-1429) Tractatulus . . . De cognicione castitatis et pollucionibus diurnis; [Forma absolucionis sacramentalis]. Ulricus Zell ca. 1470] [32] pp. 20.7 cm.

Gerson, educated at the College of Navarre in Paris, was a noted French theologian, scholar, and teacher who became chancellor of the University of Paris in 1395. He later became a leader of the conciliar movement for church reform and helped resolve a major conflict in the western church at the Council of Constance in 1415. Because of his Opposition to John the Fearless of Burgundy, he was exiled to Germany after the Council of Constance but returned to settle in Lyons after John's death in 1419. As chancellor at Paris, Gerson was responsible for the conduct and studies of the student body and would have been aware of instances of "self-abuse." This very early medical work is the first printed book to address sexual matters or any medical subject. He discusses the theory and basis of menstruation, the nature and purpose of the female genitalia, masturbation, and voluntary and involuntary seminal emissions. He also discusses the moral aspects of these matters concentrating especially on the issue of sin. The short tract—Forma absolutionis sacramentalis—that follows the main work is a suggested form for the sacrament of absolution. The work was first printed in 1467 and this is believed to be a reissue of that edition. All leading initials, paragraph marks, and initial strokes have been done in red by a fine hand.

See Related Record(s): 117

Cited references: Goff G 195; Hain 7692; Hain-Copinger 2689; Klebs 460.2

Gift of John Martin, M.D.