Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 354

GIROLAMO MERCURIALE (1530-1606) De arte gymnastica libri sex. Apud Juntas 1587 3rd ed. 3, 308 [27] pp., illus. 23.6 cm.

Mercuriale, professor of medicine at Bologna and Pisa, is probably best known to modern students of medical history for the present work, first published in 1569. It was the first complete text on gymnastics and stresses the importance that all forms of exercise have in maintaining good health. Relying heavily on ancient practices, this work is an excellent compendium of the physical therapy of earlier times. Mercuriale describes ancient gymnasia and baths and discusses mild exercises such as dancing as well as more strenuous pursuits such as wrestling and boxing. He also gives full consideration to the health benefits of proper exercise and concludes the book with a section of therapeutic exercises. The book contains many excellent wood-block illustrations of wrestling, boxing, and other sports.

Cited references: Durling 3090; Garrison-Morton 1986.1 (1st ed., 1569); Osler 3387 (1st ed.); Waller 6480 (1601 ed.); Wellcome 4226