Ferri, Alfonso.

4to (205 x 147mm.), woodcut papal arms on title-page, later vellum, 2 leaves of late fifteenth-century German manuscript in Latin and 5 leaves of late sixteenth- or early seventeenth-century manuscript in Latin at end, marginal staining in last few leaves, last leaf repaired at edges

Censimento 16 CNCE 18863; Durling 1506; Wellcome 2239; Alden & Landis 537/8

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
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first edition. Ferri's lignum sanctum was an American tree, Guaiacum, that was reputed to cure the morbus gallicus, syphilis.

Ferri's treatise proved popular and later editions were sometimes issued together with Fracastoro's poetic treatise on syphilis, first published in 1530 (the second edition of 1531 was printed by Blado). Ferri was physician to Paul III, whose arms appear on the title-page.

The manuscript leaves at the end of this volume are of a medical nature; the fifteenth-century manuscript describes the plague and is rich in biblical examples and allusions to the plague, whereas the later manuscript talks specifically about syphilis and draws on the writings of Antonio Fracanzani and Gabriele Falloppio, whose work on syphilis was first published together in Padua in 1563.