Details
WILLIS, Thomas (1621-1675). De anima brutorum quae hominis vitalis ac sensitiva est, exercitationes duae. Oxford: Sheldonian Theatre for Ric. Davis, 1672.
4o (191 x 154 mm). 8 engraved plates (5 folding). (Some light browning to text.) Contemporary panelled calf gilt (borken).
FIRST EDITION, Oxford imprint. Willis's discourse on the two souls which he believed man had; the "brutish" or corporeal soul (which man has in common with animals), contained within the blood and the nervous system; and the rational and immortal soul, unique to man. Willis expanded upon the neurological ideas which he had introduced in Cerebri anatome, and described how the five senses transmit information through the nervous system and to the brain. As in many of his works, Willis went beyond anatomical investigation and interpretation to more ambitious speculation. Many of his hypotheses bore significant fruit, even if not entirely accurate in themselves. Garrison-Morton 1544; 4793; 4966; NLM/Krivatsy 13014; Wing W-2825; Norman 2244.
4o (191 x 154 mm). 8 engraved plates (5 folding). (Some light browning to text.) Contemporary panelled calf gilt (borken).
FIRST EDITION, Oxford imprint. Willis's discourse on the two souls which he believed man had; the "brutish" or corporeal soul (which man has in common with animals), contained within the blood and the nervous system; and the rational and immortal soul, unique to man. Willis expanded upon the neurological ideas which he had introduced in Cerebri anatome, and described how the five senses transmit information through the nervous system and to the brain. As in many of his works, Willis went beyond anatomical investigation and interpretation to more ambitious speculation. Many of his hypotheses bore significant fruit, even if not entirely accurate in themselves. Garrison-Morton 1544; 4793; 4966; NLM/Krivatsy 13014; Wing W-2825; Norman 2244.