Medica Sacra; or a Commentary on the Most Remarkable Diseases, Mentioned in the Holy Scriptures
London: Printed for J. Brindley, 1755. First English language edition. Softcover. Large octavo. [2], 49, xxii, 120pp. Bound in modern three-quarter paper over marbled paper-covered wraps. Two title-pages, as issued. First 49 page section contains "Memoirs of the life and writings of the learned author." In "Medica Sacra" Richard Mead argued that pagan ideas regarding demons had entered Christianity. Mead understood those afflicted by demons in the New Testament to refer simply to those suffering from a variety of illnesses: "That the Daemoniacs, daimonizomenoi, mentioned in the gospels, laboured under a disease really natural, though of an obstinate and difficult kind, appears to me very probable from the accounts given of them." Contemporaries such as Isaac Newton, Joseph Mede, and Arthur Ashley Sykes shared Mead's opinion on the subject. Translated from the Latin into English by Thomas Stack. Decorative head and tailpieces. Head of spine slightly chipped. Slight worming to bottom margin of first 20 pages not affecting text. Very minor sporadic foxing to some leaves. Rear free endpaper creased. Overall good to very good condition. Engraving depicting a sculpture of Richard Mead, laid-in, which was not part of this edition. g to g+. Item #30623
Contents: Memoirs of the life and writings of the learned author. The preface. I. The disease of Job. II. The leprocy. III. The disease of King Saul. IV. The disease of King Joram; Jehoram. V. The disease of King Ezekias; Hezekiah. VI. The disease of old age. VII. The disease of King Nebuchadnezzar. VIII. The paralysy, palsy. IX. Of daemoniacs. X. Of lunatics. XI. The issue of blood in a woman. XII. Weakness of the back, with a rigidity of the spine back bone. XIII. The bloody sweat of Christ. XIV. The disease of Judas. XV. The disease of King Herod.
Price: $350.00