| Title: |
The York-shire Spaw, or a Treatise of four Famous Medicinal Wells, viz. the Spaw, or Vitrioline-Well; the stinking, or Sulphur-Well; the Dropping, or Petrifying-Well; and St. Mugnus-Well, near Knares-borow in York-shire. Together with the causes, vertues, and use thereof Composed by John French, Dr. of Physick. |
| Description: |
Printed for E. Dod, and N. Ekins. 1652. First Edition, 12mo, [viii],124,[2]pp., title with early ownership signatures partly crossed-out, library stamp to verso of title-page, A1 and final contents leaf, label to front pastedown, later calf, rubbed, label to upper cover. John French, (circa 1616-1657) was an English physician who also served as an army doctor, “he was a keen advocate of the chemical methods pioneered by Paracelsus and Van Helmont, whose ideas, and those of their followers, he attempted to popularize in the 1650s through original works and translations. From the late 1640s he was also closely associated with the circle of Samuel Hartlib, and was well respected by many, including Robert Boyle, for his expertise in the practical side of chemistry and mineralogy. According to Hartlib, French knew ‘all the places for Minerals in England, and hath a great store of all manner of Oares’… In addition, as physician to the Savoy Hospital, he would appear to have encouraged the implementation of various new approaches to medical training and practice, including the use of spa water treatments for maimed soldiers (his ‘The Yorkshire Spaw’ appeared in 1652), and anatomical dissection.”—(Oxford DNB). Wing, F2175; Boyne, The Yorkshire Library, p. 255. |
