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HEWSON, William (1739-1774). Experimental enquiries: Part the first. Being a second edition of an inquiry into the properties of the blood ... and an appendix relating to the discovery of the lymphatic system in birds, fish, and the animals called amphibious - Part the second: Containing a description of the lymphatic system in the human subject and in other animals [Vol. II] - Part the third: Containing a Description of the Red Particles of the Blood in the Human Subject and in other Animals. London: T. Cadell, 1772 [Vol. I]; J. Johnson, 1774 [Vol. II]; T. Longman, 1777 [vol. III].
3 volumes, 8o (200 x 121 mm [Vol. I]; 212 x 130 mm [Vol. II]; 207 x 126 mm [Vol. III]). Half-titles in vols. I and III. 10 engraved plates, (9 folding [Vols. II-III]). (Some occasional pale browning and spotting, plates with a few minor creases and short tears.) Vol I. in contemporary calf (rebacked preserving original spine, a bit rubbed); vols. II and III in varying nineteenth-century half calf, marbled boards (some minor wear); cloth slipcase. Provenance: Steevens Hospital, Medical & Surgical Library (inkstamps on half-titles in first and third vols. dated 1813); Medical Library, Bath (inkstamp on title verso, vol. II); a few pencilled marginalia, ink marginalia on plates in vol. III.
FIRST EDITION in book form of Vols. II and III; second edition of Vol. I. Hewson advanced knowledge of blood during the 1770s, when the microscope was little used because of distortions caused by compound lenses. Hewson used a single lens, and discovered a satisfactory way to mount "wet" specimens on slides, and so was able to ascertain the role of fibrogen, and give the first valid account of coagulation; to give the first account of the anatomy and production of lymphatics, and to describe clearly the three parts of the blood. Rare with the third volume, which was published posthumously by Magnus Falconer. Garrison-Morton 1102; Norman 1069 (vols I and II only); Wellcome III, p.259. (3)
3 volumes, 8o (200 x 121 mm [Vol. I]; 212 x 130 mm [Vol. II]; 207 x 126 mm [Vol. III]). Half-titles in vols. I and III. 10 engraved plates, (9 folding [Vols. II-III]). (Some occasional pale browning and spotting, plates with a few minor creases and short tears.) Vol I. in contemporary calf (rebacked preserving original spine, a bit rubbed); vols. II and III in varying nineteenth-century half calf, marbled boards (some minor wear); cloth slipcase. Provenance: Steevens Hospital, Medical & Surgical Library (inkstamps on half-titles in first and third vols. dated 1813); Medical Library, Bath (inkstamp on title verso, vol. II); a few pencilled marginalia, ink marginalia on plates in vol. III.
FIRST EDITION in book form of Vols. II and III; second edition of Vol. I. Hewson advanced knowledge of blood during the 1770s, when the microscope was little used because of distortions caused by compound lenses. Hewson used a single lens, and discovered a satisfactory way to mount "wet" specimens on slides, and so was able to ascertain the role of fibrogen, and give the first valid account of coagulation; to give the first account of the anatomy and production of lymphatics, and to describe clearly the three parts of the blood. Rare with the third volume, which was published posthumously by Magnus Falconer. Garrison-Morton 1102; Norman 1069 (vols I and II only); Wellcome III, p.259. (3)