BICAISE (Michel). The way to regulate health by... Lot 19

BICAISE (Michel). The way to regulate health by what surrounds us, by what we receive, and by exercises, or by modern gymnastics. The whole applied to the people of France, & to serve as an example sometimes to the inhabitants of the city of Aix. Aix, Charles David, 1669. In-8, vellum, smooth spine, handwritten title (Binding of the time). (6) ff, 337 pp, (1) f. Rare first edition of this manual of hygiene and dietetics, printed in Aix-en-Provence. The author, originally from the Basses-Alpes, was a regent of medicine at the University of Aix-en-Provence. The first book (pp. 1-145) is devoted to "things that surround us or that are outside of us", and that can influence the state of our health: stars, shadows, parasols, atmosphere, temperature, winds, noises, clothes, masks, wigs, etc. The second book (pp. 146-226), devoted to food and digestion, is naturally of gastronomic interest. It is entitled Des choses que nous reçoivent et qui passent dans nos parties. Bicaise deals with eggs, fish, fruits, green fruits, melon, strawberries and asparagus, mushrooms, truffles, forget-me-nots, lemonade, sorbet, ice cream, etc. The last chapter is devoted to "tobacco in smoke". The last book (pp. 227-337) deals with a subject rarely related to health practice, and is entitled: Of games and exercises, or modern gymnastics: palm and mail games, carriages, cradles, dancing, hunting, songs and musical instruments, laughter, walking, merry-go-round... Handwritten mention and handwritten ex-libris on the title: P. Martilly, 1670. Binding rubbed, with slight loss of skin. Marginal worm work to some leaves. Missing the final errata leaf indicating 4 mistakes (but 2 have been corrected by hand: pp. 16 and 40). Some foxing. Vicar, 92.