Leiden, Theodor Haak, 1764. [viii], 338, [ii], [ii, blank] pp. 8vo (13 x 21,5 c.). Contemporary marbled calf, spine with 5 raised bands; in compartments gilt decorated with floral motives (top of front joint slightly damaged; marbled end-papers, red edges. With several woodcut headers, footers and initials.
BMN. I, 200.First edition, very rare. A considerably expanded edition of author's thesis (Leiden, 1762). Rouppe travelled much in the West-Indies as a naval physician for the Dutch West Indische Companie. The text is based on author's own observations and experiences, including sanitation and sanitary measures, venereal diseases, fevers, cancers etc. An important part (pp. 90-212) deals with scurvy. One of the last parts, "de morbus in portubus" is of particularly interest. This work is often considered the best 18th century treatise on naval medicine, and was translated into English and German. -- (Owing to the quality of the paper, text lightly browned as in all copies. Copy with the bookplate of G.J.B. Ducos).