Nemesius: The Nature of Man

London: Printed by M.F. for Henry Taunton, 1636. The extremely rare first English edition of Nemesius' the Nature of Man, with no auction records of the work over the last forty years. This book is particularly of interest for its medical insights. Garrison-Morton's bibliography remarks: "[This book], a physiological and psychological study of man, was highly esteemed during the Middle Ages. He was one of the first to propose that mental processes were localized in the cells or ventricles of the brain, and his comments on the heartbeat and pulse have been erroneously interpreted as anticipation of Harvey's theory of the circulation." The editio princeps was published in Greek and Latin by Plantin in 1565. This English translation is dedicated to the jurist John Selden. 12mo, [xlii] + 661pp. Title printed in red and black. Lacking A1 (probably blank or half-title). Slight toning throughout, last few leaves with wear along the edges, a couple leaves with antique ink notations. Rebound in modern red cloth with gilt title on spine. Very good condition overall. [STC 18427]