De curandis vulneribus sclopettorum, authore Leonardo Botallo Astense medico

GUNSHOT WOUNDS
8vo (148x96 mm). 67, [1] leaves. Collation: A-H8 I4. Printer's device on the title page. Register and colophon on l. I4r. Woodcut historiated initials and woodcut illustrations of surgical instruments in text. 19th-century quarter vellum gilt, morocco lettering piece on spine. Ownership entry on the title page. Some foxing and staining, a few woodcuts slightly trimmed at edge, all in all a good copy.
Second edition (first printed in Lyon by Guillaume Rouille in 1560). In the De curandis vulneribus sclopettorum, his first printed work and among the first ever devoted to gunshot wounds, the author brought together his vast experience as a traumatologist, describing the best techniques to be adopted in gunshot wounds and addressing the neurological impact of head injuries. The treatise combines previously published information with Botallo's own observations as a military surgeon, and supported Ambroise Pare's conclusion that gunshot wounds were not inherently poisonous and should receive mild rather than harsh treatment.
Leonardo Botallo was born in Asti in 1530 into a noble family. He graduated in medicine from the University of Pavia, and also had the opportunity to attend the lectures given by G. Falloppio in the anatomical theatre at the University of Padua. Botallo began practising as a private physician in Asti and later became doctor for the French troops. This gave him the opportunity to refine his training, particularly in trauma care. In 1560, he was summoned to the court of Catherine de Medici, who appointed him archiatrician. In 1567, he worked for the queen's son, the Duke of Anjou (later Henry III), and in 1568, he served Charles IX. In 1570, he was with the Duke of Alençon. He was also physician to Elizabeth of Austria from 1571 to 1574, and to Henry I and Louise of Lorraine from 1575 to 1578. He also travelled to England and Belgium. His dedication and service to those princes earned him an honorary position as advisor, conferred by Henry III, as well as the title of ‘abbé commendataire' of the abbeys of Digne and Notre-Dame de Chambre.
Botallo gathered the fruits of his experience in various writings, some of which were published posthumously. After De curandis vulneribus sclopettorum, he published the following treatises: De foramine ovali dissertatio (Lyon, 1561), Luis venereae curandae ratio (Paris, 1563), De via sanguinis a dextero in sinistrum cordis ventriculum (Paris, 1564), De catharro eiusque causis symptomatibus, signis et curatione commentarium (Paris, 1564), De catharro eiusque causis symptomatibus,signis et curatione commentarium (Paris, 1564), De incidendae venae, cutis scarificandae et Hirudinum applicandarum modo (Lyon, 1565), Admonitio de fungo strangulatorio (Lyon, 1565), Observatio anatomica de monstruoso rene in cadavere nuper reperto (Lyon, 1565), Observatio alia de ossibus inventis inter utrumque cerebri ventriculum (Lyon, 1565), and De curatione per sanguinis missionem (Lyon, 1577)
In August 1586 Botallo fell seriously ill, receiving care and comfort from his patroness, Catherine de' Medici before dying in late 1587. In 1660 came out in Lyon, edited by J. van Horne, the Opera omnia medica et chirurgica, which collects all his writings, even those that had remained unpublished until that date (cf. E. Taccari, Botallo, Leonardo, in: “Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani”, vol. 13, Rome, 1971, s.v.).
D.S.B, II, pp. 336-337; Hirsch, I, p. 643; Wellcome I, 998; Edit 16, CNCE7243.