Quarterly Epitome of American Practical Medicine and Surgery
Quarterly Epitome of American Practical Medicine and Surgery
Quarterly Epitome of American Practical Medicine and Surgery. W.A. Townsend Publisher, New York, 1881, Volume II, Part VII, September. Medical readers digest of that times.
The cover is followed by 20 pages of advertisements, mostly medical, but not only - advertisements for suppositories, electrical appliances and medicines were mixed up with offers of Hungarian wine ('Strictly for medicinal use'!) and fire arms. One page contains the official announcements of the medical colleges of the United States. The extensive table of contents of this issue covers such fields as therapy, infections, surgery, dermatology, midwifery, and women's diseases (pages 22-30). The magazine concludes with subscription details and other general information from the publisher and a final series of advertisements (31-38 pp.).
Pages: pp. 1-30 advertisement and table of contest; main part pp. 305-448; advertisement and publisher's information pp. 31-38 – totally 182 pages. After page 27 (right side of the spread), page 29 (left side of the spread) is erroneously listed. Dimensions: 23.6x14.7x0.9 cm, weight 196 gr. Cover and several pages with brown spots, cover torn, signs of wear. Condition II.
Significant Periodical American Medical Publication
The Quarterly Epitome of American Practical Medicine and Surgery was a significant American medical publication in the late 19th century, serving as a supplementary resource to Braithwaite's Retrospect. It provided a reader's digest of discoveries and practical improvements in the medical sciences, abstracted from current medical journals in the United States and Canada.
The journal aimed to compile and summarize advancements in medicine and surgery, making it a valuable resource for physicians and medical students. It covered a wide range of topics, including treatments for diseases like diphtheria, gout, and rheumatism, as well as surgical techniques and the use of antiseptics and anaesthesia. The publication ran from 1880 to 1885, with six volumes released during this period. Each volume contained abstracts and reviews of medical literature, focusing on practical applications in clinical settings.
It was designed as a supplement to Braithwaite's Retrospect, a well-known medical journal of the time. This connection allowed it to build on the existing reputation and reach of its parent publication. The journal addressed a broad spectrum of medical conditions, including:
- Infectious diseases: Diphtheria, typhoid fever, and syphilis.
- Surgical techniques: Amputation, wound treatment, and the use of antiseptics like carbolic acid and iodoform, and anaesthetics describing use of chloroform and ether in operations.
- Women's health: Reproductive health conditions and treatments.
- Pediatrics: Diseases affecting children and their management.
The publication featured contributions from prominent physicians of the era, ensuring high-quality and authoritative content. For example, it included works by James Tyson, a noted pathologist, and James Nevins Hyde, a specialist in dermatology.
The Epitome has high historical significance as it provides a window into the medical practices and challenges of the late 1800s. It highlights the transition from traditional methods to more scientific approaches, particularly in surgery and disease management. It served as a practical guide for physicians, offering insights into the latest treatments and techniques. Its abstracts and summaries made it accessible to a wide audience, including those without access to extensive medical libraries.
The Quarterly Epitome of American Practical Medicine and Surgery stands as a testament to the evolution of medical science in the 19th century. Its comprehensive coverage of medical and surgical advancements, combined with its accessibility, made it a cornerstone of medical literature during its time. Today, it remains a valuable resource for understanding the history of medicine and the progress made in the field.
References and Full-Text Links
The journal is available in both digital and print formats. Digital versions can be accessed through platforms like Google Books and Forgotten Books, while physical copies are held in libraries such as Stanford University and UW-Madison.
Digitalized by Google Copy of several parts of the 1881 is here: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015070388601&seq=310&view=1up The Part VII, September starts on the page #310 (without scans of the advertisement pages).
Provenance
Acquired through eBay in the US antique shop, 15th of May 2023.
