Dissertazione di polizia medica sul Pentateuco in riguardo alle leggi spettanti alla gravidanza, al parto, puerperio, all'educazione della fanciullezza, ed ai patemi di animo con molte riflessioni filosofiche sui rabbinici commenti, ed usi ebraici in tale materia di Benedetto Frizzi Dottore di filosofia e medicina

8vo. [6], 128, [2 blank] pp. Italian Union Catalogue, IT\ICCU\LO1E\025546.
(bound with:)
FRIZZI, Benedetto (Ben Zion Rafael Ha-Cohen, 1757-1844). Dissertazione seconda di polizia medica sul Pentateuco in riguardo ai cibi proibiti, e altre cose a essi relative con molte note critiche e fisiche di Benedetto Frizzi […] Cremona, Lorenzo Manini, 1788.
8vo. [2], 135, [1 blank] pp. Italian Union Catalogue, IT\ICCU\LO1E\025581.
(bound with:)
FRIZZI, Benedetto (Ben Zion Rafael Ha-Cohen, 1757-1844). Dissertazione di polizia medica sul Pentateuco in riguardo alle leggi, e stato del matrimonio con molte riflessioni filosofiche sui rabbinici commenti, e usi ebraici in tale materia di Benedetto Frizzi […] Pavia, Pietro Galeazzi, 1788.
8vo. [6], 140, [2] pp. Italian Union Catalogue, IT\ICCU\LO1E\025539.
Three works in one volume (207x128 mm). Contemporary cardboards, colored labels with inked title on spine (loose). A good copy, mostly still unopened.
First editions. The volume contains three of the six dissertations that Frizzi published between 1787 and 1790 on the matter of public health according to Jewish law and modern medicine: Dissertazione di polizia medica sul Pentateuco in riguardo alle leggi spettanti alla gravidanza, al parto, puerperio, all'educazione della fanciullezza e ai patemi d'animo (‘Medical policy dissertation on the Pentateuch with regard to the laws pertaining to pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, the education of children, and emotional distress', Pavia, 1788); Dissertazione seconda di polizia medica sul Pentateuco in riguardo ai cibi proibiti e altre cose a essi relativi (‘Second medical policy dissertation on the Pentateuch with regard to prohibited foods and other related matters', Cremona, 1788); and Dissertazione di polizia medica sul Pentateuco in riguardo alle leggi e stato di matrimonio (‘Dissertation on medical policy regarding the Pentateuch in relation to the laws and status of marriage', Pavia, 1788).
The other dissertations were: Dissertazione di polizia medica sopr'alcuni alimenti proibiti nel Pentateuco (‘Medical policy dissertation regarding certain foods prohibited in the Pentateuch', Pavia, 1787); Dissertazione di polizia medica sul Pentateuco sopra le leggi e formalità ebraiche in istato di malattia e cerimonie funebri e sepolcrali (‘Medical policy dissertation on the Pentateuch concerning Jewish laws and formalities in cases of illness and funeral and burial ceremonies', Pavia, 1789); and Dissertazione di polizia medica sul Pentateuco in riguardo alle pulizie delle strade e delle case, formalità sacerdotali e leggi di agricoltura (‘Medical policy dissertation on the Pentateuch concerning the cleaning of streets and houses, priestly formalities, and agricultural laws', Cremona, 1790).
The dissertations offer an accurate medical and philosophical study of the precepts given by Moses, defined as a “true code of health” and interpreted as valid norms for the spiritual and moral elevation of man aimed at preserving and improving the species. They also contain, together with medical notes and philosophical reflections, an attempt to correct some defects introduced by the rabbis in matters of public health.
Benedetto Frizzi (Ben Zion Refael Ha-Cohen) was born in 1757 to Michele and Debora Vitali in Ostiano, then in the province of Mantua. His parents sent him to study the Torah and the Hebrew language at the Talmud Torà, the primary school of rabbinical studies in Fiorenzuola. He completed his education in Mantua, where he moved in 1769, at the local rabbinical academy established by Rabbi Jacob Saraval and at the Jesuit school, where he studied philosophy, Latin, and mathematics. After obtaining the title of expert surveyor at the age of 16 and then that of engineer, he enrolled in the faculty of medicine at the University of Pavia, where he was a student of S.A. Tissot, J.P. Frank, and P. Moscati, among others. After graduating in medicine on June 5, 1787, Frizzi initially practiced in Parm