Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 266

GIOVANNI ANDREA DALLA CROCE (1509?-1580) Chirurgiae . . . libri septem. Apud Jordanum Zilettum 1573 [4] 142 [7] ll., illus., plates. 29.8 cm.

Not a great deal is known of Croce's life. He was born at Venice, is known to have been a member of the College of Surgeons there, and about 1560 is mentioned as being one of the city's most successful surgeons. The present work is Croce's major contribution and is chiefly an historical compilation of the writings of the important authorities from Hippocrates to Abulcasis. Croce's recommendations for wound management are surprisingly modern and are similar to some of those used during the early years of this century. Noteworthy in his Chirurgiae are the many excellent illustrations that appear throughout the text. Nearly all of the best known and most frequently used surgical instruments are depicted in historical sequence. The various types of arrows, spears, and bullets used in the warfare of his day are also illustrated as well as several scenes of the typical operating room of the sixteenth century. Croce's work went through several editions and was also translated into German and Italian.

Cited references: Cushing C477; Durling 1082; Wellcome 1666

Gift of John Martin, M.D.