Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 661

WALTER HARRIS (1647-1732) De morbis acutis infantum. Impensis S. Smith & B. Walford 1705 2nd ed. [24] 189 pp. 18.8 cm.

A native of Gloucester, Harris graduated from Oxford in 1670 with a degree in the arts. He became a Roman Catholic and went to France to study medicine where he received his doctor's degree in 1675 from Bourges. He returned to London the following year, established a private practice, and renounced Catholicism in 1678 when all Catholics were expelled from London. Harris received an M.D. from Cambridge in 1679 and was elected a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 1682. He held a number of key posts in the College, delivered the Harveian oration on four occasions, and served as Lumleian lecturer from 1710 until his death. He was appointed physician to King William and attended Queen Mary during her last illness. Harris wrote the present work in 1689 and later, while on campaign in Holland with King William, had it published at Amsterdam in 1698. This short treatise on diseases of children is one of the earliest works devoted solely to pediatrics. It was extremely popular and was in wide use until supplanted by Underwood's book in 1784 (see No. 1024). Following the account of children's diseases in this second edition are his observations on epilepsy, palsy, diabetes, quinsy, and several complications of the cardiovascular system. A final portion of the book is devoted to various aspects of venereal diseases.

See Related Record(s): 1024

Cited references: Garrison-Morton 6321 (1st ed., 1689); Osler 2893 (1718 ed.); Waller 4069 (1st ed.); Wellcome III, p. 213 (1st ed.)

Gift of John Martin, M.D.