Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 697

NICHOLAS ANDRY DE BOIS-REGARD (1658-1742) L'orthopédie; ou, L'art de prévenir et de corriger dans les enfans, les difformités du corps. Chez la veuve Alix, Lambert & Durand 1741 Vol. I: [2] 47, xcviii (misnumbered cxviii), 345 [3] pp., front., 13 plates; Vol. II: [2] vi, 365 [5] pp., 1 plate. 16.6 cm.

For more information on this author or work, see number: 696

Written late in Andry's life, this pioneering work is among the earliest to deal with the preventive and rehabilitative aspects of orthopedics. It was in this work that Andry coined the term orthopedics from the Greek words orthos (straight) and paidios (child) to express his adherence to the theory that many adolescent and adult deformities originate in childhood. Following a long survey of human anatomy, there are instructions for the breast feeding of infants, directions for handling, dressing, feeding, and exercising children as well as specific treatment for diseases common to young children. Most of the work is concerned with preventing and correcting poor body posture and other defects caused by improper habits during the formative years. Andry also presents measures to be employed in correcting deformities such as curvature of the spine, club foot, stooped shoulders, etc. He places great emphasis on prevention and rehabilitation and offers sound advice for correcting not only bodily deformities but also deformities of the teeth and gums, speech defects, and mutism.

Cited references: Garrison-Morton 4301; Waller 418; Wellcome II, p. 43

Gift of John Martin, M.D.