Medical manuscript

large 4to (400 x 300mm.), manuscript on paper, 24 sheets with a botanical watercolour on the recto and a watercolour depicting a patient with their name, the date of treatment and an attestation that the treatment worked noted in ink, papal arms of Benedict XIV and arms of the state of Venice on two versos (both with a large tear), loose in a fabric portfolio with the name "Paolo Sertori, Roma" on a paper label on the inside and the initials "P.S.I." on upper cover, each sheet somewhat stained (some with large ink stains) and soiled, each leaf reinforced in gutter with some loss of text and images, lacking binding

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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The medical practitioner responsible for this fascinating volume, Giovanni Antonio Solari (or Sollari), called Gambacorta ("Shortlegs"), cured people within a few days of varying ailments such as falling off a scaffold, being kicked by a horse, headaches, cutting a foot open with an axe, slipping on a frozen step of the shrine of Loreto, knife wounds, earache, female hysteria and falling from a tree. All these attested in writing to their cure by Solari's balsamo, balm or ointment. The manuscript was presumably created for him to take with him to demonstrate the efficacy of his balsamo to potential patients or purchasers, though it would have been a bulky item to carry around on his travels.

He must have travelled widely as he "cured" people from Verona and Turin in the north to L'Aquila and Ancona in central Italy, between 1729 and 1748. The inclusion of the papal arms and those of Venice may have intended to imply that he had some official standing.