POL, Nicolaus. De cura Morbi Gallici per Lignum Guaycanum. Venezia, Giovanni Padovano e Venturino Ruffinelli, 1535

Small 8°; contemporary full vellum binding; 8 unnumbered leaves, last leave with blanck verso. Small restoration to the two final papers. Good copy.

Very rare first edition. This is the first scientific treatise describing the treatment of the "Gallic disease." The work of Dr. Nicolaus Pol syphilis and its treatment by means of guaiac wood, is dedicated to Cardinal Matthew Lang, chancellor of the Emperor Maximilian, who in 1516-17 had sent a medical commission in Spain and Portugal study the new treatment of syphilis with the guaiac Nicolaus Pol was a member of the Committee; The terrible sexually transmitted disease of American origin has appeared in Europe to coincide with the return of Columbus from his trip: Barcelona emerged shortly after the festivities in honor of the navigator and quickly spread first in the French army and then in Europe. The guaiac wood was introduced to Europe by the Spanish in 1508; administered in cases of syphilis, the decoction was considered a safe drug. Nicolaus Pol writes that about three thousand people in Spain were cured with this specific. The text contains detailed instructions for treatment of the disease: diet, lifestyle, sober, and taking a decoction. At the end of the Treaty is the recipe for the construction of German beer, provided to the author by Alberto Pio, Prince of Carpi diplomat in the Emperor Maximilian. European Americana 535/13; 488 Stillwell; Durling 2812; Waller 7548; Wellcome 5141.