A Medical Commonplace Book

Written mostly in the same handwriting throughout, but the writer's name is not stated. There are some additions by another hand (pp. 561-603). The manuscript must have passed into the possession of John Henderson, the writer of MSS. Nos. 23, 32, 58 as there is a partial table of contents in his handwriting prefixed. The manuscript was written probably during the latter part of the seventeenth century and the early years of the eighteenth. The contents are as follows:- A large collection of extracts from the works of medical writers, such as Thomas Willis, Hermann Boerhaave and others of the same period. The latest date mentioned is 1709. Large numbers of prescriptions are included, and notes on diagnosis, symptoms and treatment of various diseases. Some addenda by another hand deal with alchemy and astrology, the "philosopher's stone," etc. The writer evidently kept the book in constant use for a long period of time, and has frequently made marginal additions.

Late 17th century/Early 18th century

331 folios Folio. 33.5 × 21 cm. Modern binding.

Described in: Warren R. Dawson, Manuscripta medica. A descriptive catalogue of the manuscripts in the Library of the Medical Society of London (London, 1932).