Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 540

THOMAS WILLIS (1621-1675) De anima brutorum, quae hominis vitalis ac sensitiva est, exercitationes duae. Sumptibus Joannis Antonii Huguetan 1676 [24] 298 [12] pp., 8 plates (part fold.). 22.9 cm.

For more information on this author or work, see number: 537

In this earliest English work on medical psychology, first published at Oxford in 1672, Willis describes the phenomenon now known as paracusis Willisii, based on his observation of a deaf woman who could hear only when a drum was beating. This is a typical example of Willis' ability to make application of isolated, but important, facts. The first clinical description of myasthenia gravis is also in this work.

Cited references: Garrison-Morton 1544 (1st ed., 1672); Osler 4250 (1st ed.); Waller 10324

Gift of John Martin, M.D.