Rare 1654 Latin Edition of Swedish Anatomist Olof Rudbeck's 'Infidie Structae' (Traps Laid), a Publication Defending his Medical Discoveries Against the Accusation of Plagerism
RUDBECK, Olof [Olai Rudbeckii] (1630-1702) 'Infidie structae, Olai Rudbeckii Sueci ductibis hepaticis aquofis and vasis glandularum scrofis, Arofiae editu. a Thoma Bartholino Medico regio Profeffore Anatomico in Academia Hafniensi' (Traps laid, [for] Olaus Rudbeck the Swede [on his work] regarding the watery hepatic ducts and the watery vessels of the glands published at Västerås, by Thomas Bartholin, Royal Physician and Professor of Anatomy at the University of Copenhagen).
Pub. LUGDUNI BATAVORUM: Ex Officina Adriani Wingaerden. 1654. Collation: 8° p2(-p2) A-I8 K6L4 ($1-5 signed) 67 leaves, pp. [1] 1-164. Collation Brief: Title, 164pp. Title page tipped in with stub at end of the A signature.
'In 1650, Rudbeck distinguished between the lacteal system, with its thoracic - duct 'chyle' and the true lymphatic system, with its vasa serosa which contains not milky 'chyle', but a clear watery fluid. He found these vessels passing from the liver and the intestines, and had noted that some at least, like the lacteals, also flow into the thoracic duct.' Fulton & Wilson, p.165. Following the publication of his Nova exceritatio anatomica in 1653, the young Swede found himself involved in a furious dispute over the priority of discovery of the lymphatic system, with the eminent Dutch physiologist Thomas Bartholin. This very rare book contains Rudbeck's defence of his discoveries, with Bartholin's replies.' (R.D. Gurney Cat. 52, 1969).
Half dark brown leather and marbled board, gold embossed title to spine, some foxing with tanning, mark and bite/hole to title page, wear to base of p5-12 and one end page, note on p65, shelf wear. References: Bibliothoea Walleriana 8282. Not in Osler, Cushing or Wellcome Libraries. R. D. Gurney Cat. 52, 1969 has copy for £105. Russell notes that 'This is the only copy listed for sale in the past 30 years'. Obtained from Erik Waller by exchange. Bookplate: Ex Libris Anatomica K.F. Russell (155x100mm)




PROVENANCE:
Collection Late Kenneth F. Russell (1911-1987), Professor of Anatomy and Medical History, University of Melbourne.

Estimate $2,000-3,000