The earliest printed book on wine / by Arnald of Villanova ; now for the first time rendered into English, and with an historical essay, by Henry E. Sigerist ; with facsimile of the original edition, 1478.

  • Arnaldus de Villa Nova
Date:
1943
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The earliest printed book on wine / by Arnald of Villanova ; now for the first time rendered into English, and with an historical essay, by Henry E. Sigerist ; with facsimile of the original edition, 1478. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    85/88 (page 81)
    one has drunk some of it before a sea voyage, it helps for nausea and vomiting To Beautify Women A tasty wine which gives a white, subtle and pleasant complexion is made thus: Put ginger and cinnamon bark into wine and distill it like rose water. It is also good for all cold complexions and ailments and particularly for paralysis which is an aiU ment of the limbs. rnald of Villanova (1235/1312) was one of the greatest and, at the same time, one of the most mysterious medical men of his time. His great reputation as a physician brought him such patients as Peter III of Aragon, Frederick III of Sicily, Pope Boniface VIII, and Pope Clement V. It was Arnald who introduced brandy into the materia medica, and as an advocate of the mixture of certain spirits can be said to have been the inventor of the modern cocktail. Outstanding among his many medical writings are the General Rules for the Cure of Diseases, a Compendium of Practical Medicine, and the Commentary on the Regimen Sanitatis. But besides his medical activities, Arnald displayed great interest in the occult sciences of alchemy and astrology, and was constantly involved in philosophical battles with the orthodox theologians of his day. These disputes might have re^ suited in dire consequences for Arnald but for his medical aid to the church leaders of the time. Dr. Sigerist, the most important medical historian of our day, has not only translated this work, but has also contributed an authoritative historical essay in which he traces the life and work of Arnald and discusses critically the contents of the Book of Wines. This book has been handsomely produced by A. Colish, one of America’s leading bookmakers. The text is set in the elegant Poliphilus [roman] and Blado [italic]. Printed on an all rag, ivory tinted paper and bound in a burgundy cloth with gold stamping. Frontispiece in gravure. Facsimile of original 30 pages reproduced in offset. Limited to three hundred and fifty copies. Price $10.