Domestic Medicine; or, A Treatise on the Prevention and Cure of Diseases by Regimen and Simple Medicines. By William Buchan. c.1800.

A late eighteenth or early nineteenth-century copy of William Buchan's household medical manual, combining advice on the prevention of illness through diet, exercise and daily habits with descriptions of diseases and their treatment. Subjects include the care of children, smallpox and inoculation, fevers, cancer, poisoning, cold bathing and mineral waters. An extensive appendix provides medicinal preparations and recipes, followed by a glossary, contents and index. A well-used example offering an insight into domestic healthcare before modern medicine.

Domestic Medicine; or, A Treatise on the Prevention and Cure of Diseases by Regimen and Simple Medicines. By William Buchan.

[Probably Glasgow]: printed by Stephen Young, [late eighteenth or early nineteenth century]. Title page and opening preliminary leaves lacking; title supplied from identification of the surviving text. Edition unidentified.

A fair hardback in contemporary full brown calf. The spine with traces of gilt rules and remains of a burgundy title label. Binding heavily rubbed and scuffed, with surface cracking and losses to the leather, particularly at the spine ends and board edges. Corners bumped and worn, with boards exposed in places. Joints and inner hinges strained, but generally holding firm.

Endpapers with old ownership inscriptions and pencil annotations. Text age-toned, with scattered spotting, soiling and staining, including some marginal discoloration. Occasional ink marks, creased corners and small edge tears, with more pronounced wear to the opening and closing leaves. Despite these faults, the surviving text remains generally legible. p.587/588 has been torn and has substantial loss. The volume retains its concluding index leaf, bearing the printer's colophon, "Stephen Young, Printer."

Text in English.

Surviving pagination: [vii]-xxiv, [25]-659. Begins within the preface, lacking the title page and preceding preliminary matter. Includes the appendix, glossary, rear contents and index. Apart from the losses described, the remaining pagination appears continuous; not exhaustively collated.

Dimensions: approximately 212mm high x 143mm wide x 48mm deep.

Weight: approximately 838g (unpacked).