Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 1467

JAMES BLUNDELL (1790-1878) The principles and practice of obstetricy. Printed for E. Cox 1834 [2] 838 [5] pp., illus. 21.2 cm.

Blundell, English physiologist and obstetrician, began his medical studies at London and completed them in Edinburgh where he graduated in 1813. He returned to London to lecture on midwifery and physiology at Guy's Hospital until 1834 when he resigned to devote himself fulltime to his large private practice. In his obstetrical teaching and practice, Blundell was cautious in employing forceps, advised late interference only in breech presentation, treated eclampsia by venesection, emetics, and purgatives, and differentiated between placenta previa and accidental hemorrhage. Edited by Thomas Castle of Trinity College, Cambridge, this work is based on lectures delivered by Blundell during 1830-1831 at Guy's Hospital. The work was well-received and was commended for its comprehensive coverage of the field. It opens with chapters on anatomy and physiology and is followed by sections on the signs and diseases of pregnancy. The work was continued by later English editions and was also very popular in German and Italian editions.

Cited references: Wellcome II, p. 184

Gift of John Martin, M.D.