RICHARDSON, William, Surgeon.

The Chemical Principles of the Metallic Arts; with an Account of the Principal Diseases incident to the Different Artificers; the Means of Prevention and Cure; and a concise Introduction to the Study of Chemistry.

Three folding printed tables. vi, (v), xx-cii, 1 leaf, 201, [4] pp. 8vo, modern half-calf (slightly browned, library stamp in lower margin of title). Birmingham: Knott & Lloyd, 1806. First edition, second issue (the sheets of the first issue with a new title-page dated 1806); at the top of the title are the words “Designed chiefly for the use of manufacturers.” The first third of the book presents a short course in chemistry to give manufacturers an overview of the subject. Much of the remainder is devoted to descriptions of different ores with their properties, methods of assaying, metals and metal alloys, and so on. The last 16 pages are occupied by a study of the diseases to which workers in metal manufactories are exposed, whether by swallowing, inhalation, or absorption through the skin, and as such it is one of the earliest books in English on occupational or industrial medicine. Birmingham was, of course, an important center for the manufacture of metal goods, and in particular the production of cheap goods in large quantities, and it is appropriate that Richardson, as a Birmingham surgeon, should address what was then a significant problem, but one which was largely ignored by factory owners. This was the only edition of the author’s only book, and is very uncommon. ❧ Cole 1114 (first issue of 1790, but recording this copy of this issue, in R.D. Gurney’s catalogue 77). Ferguson II, pp. 269–270. Neville II, p. 376 (first issue).

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• ordernr.: HillBibl-1886

• bookseller: Jonathan A. Hill, Bookseller, Inc. (USA)