Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 768

RICHARD MEAD (1673-1754) De imperio solis ac lunae in corpora humana, & morbis inde oriundis. Expensis Bernardini Gessarii 1739 [8] 223 [1] pp., fold. plate. 18.4 cm.

For more information on this author or work, see number: 766

On the influence of the sun and moon upon human bodies and the diseases thereby produced is Mead's second book and was first published at London in 1704. During Mead's day it was widely believed that celestial bodies had a direct influence on health; Mead attempts to explain this by employing the principles of Newtonian mechanics. Mead believed that atmospheric pressure was affected by the sun, moon, and stars, which produced changes similar to those of the oceanic tides. He also postulated that atmospheric variations in elasticity and pressure had a direct effect on the nervous fluid. Epilepsy, hysteria, menstrual disorders, nephritis, ulcers, and asthma were among the diseases that followed lunar cycles.

See Related Record(s): 767 755

Gift of William B. Bean, M.D