De Auro Dialogi Tres. In Quibus non solum de Auri re Medica facultate, verum etiam de specifica eius,& caetarium reum forma, ac duplici potestate, qua mixtis in omnibus illa operatur, copiose disputatur.

PORTALEONE, ABRAHAM

Apud Io. Baptistam A Porta

Venice

1584

FIRST EDITION, Printer’s large woodcut device on frontspiece. Magnificent full page engraving on verso of f. C2 (p. 12)with coat of arms of author (confrontation of a lion and a cock), bookplate of William Morehead, signature of Charles Singer(1876-1960), noted medical historian and W. Motherwell.

AdamsA32; Caillet 33; Marx, Rare Books In The Library of JTSA p. 20; Friedenwald, The Jews and Medicine II, p. 578

The author (1542-1612), is famous for his encyclopedic work in Hebrew - Shiltei Giborim (Mantua, 1612), on the details of the Temple service and the musical instruments used there. He was one of the most prominent Jewish Physicians as the personal doctor of the Duke of Mantuaand others. At the Duke’s request he composed this work on the then prevalent internal use of gold in medicine. In accordance with proper medical practice he denies that the use of gold will prolong life (the expense will just lead to penury!). It contains interesting information for the historian of chemistry. Although this is a purely medical work, the author is entitled “Medico Hebraeo Auctore” on the title page.