Muir, or Mure (John)

Notes of lectures on Anatomy, written in Paris in 1656; and on pathology written, at Madrid in 1657. Followed by miscellaneous medical notes, notes on alchemy, a Greek-Latin glossary of medical terms, and an 'Antidotariolum'. Compiler's holograph MS: in Latin. Illustrated with five pen-drawn anatomical figures (pp. 1-6), a figure of the 'Vein-man' (pp. 117), and of the gravid uterus (p. 127). Contents: (1) Libellus de arte artium sublimi phisiologiae libri septem (pp. 9-74). Ends: 'Non amplius scripsi parisiis, sed intendebam opus assequi alias. Novembris tertio die 1656 ...' (2) Pathologiae libri VII (pp. 75-115). With note on p. 75 'Inchoavi rursum opus die 28 aprilis madriti in hispania 1657'. Ends: 'Explicit hic liber octavo Kalendas junii. Muraeus'. (3) Liber methodicae medendi rationis (pp. 116-142). Signed on p. 138 'Joannes Muirus'. (4) Memorabilium liber unus (pp. 1-9). 'Maii 26, 1657' at the end. (5) Lapillus philosophorum (pp. 10-15). Dated Madrid 4 June, 1657. Ends with a list of chemical symbols in three columns, and a note (p. 15) 'Finem imposui 9 Kal. Sept. 1657 Lorancae 15 leucis Madrito constantis. Hisce temporibus invisebam medicos complutenses et controversiam inchoavi sextam.' (6) Etimologia medica [Graeco-Latina] (6 ll.). (7) Recepta (2 ll.). (8) Antidotariolum, etc. (12 ll.). Produced in Paris, Madrid.

1656; 1657

1 volume 2 ll. + 142 pp. + 16 pp. + 20 ll. 8vo. 13 1/2 × 9 1/2 cm. Original calf binding, with brass corner-pieces and two clasps, one of which is defective. Written in a very small script.

Purchased 1899.

Pasted on the second preliminary leaf is the armorial book-plate of Erasmus Darwin M.D., F.R.S., dated Lichfield 1771. With 5 shelf-marks in MS., four struck through. On the verso of the first leaf is an inscription 'E. Darwin ex dono Hopkins Chirurg. Cantab. July 1755', written by Darwin. Hopkins may possibly be Daniel Hopkins [1723-1791] surgeon, M.D. and F.R.S. of Huntingdon. Below this, 'To William Henry Robertson M.D. [1810-97], Buxton from Reginald Darwin [1818-1892] Jan'y 1860.' Inserted is a pencilled note by Sir Henry Wellcome stating that the MS. was purchased [in 1899] from Mrs. Wilmot, Dr. Robertson's daughter, at Hinkworth Rectory.

Database description transcribed from S.A.J. Moorat, Catalogue of Western Manuscripts on Medicine and Science in the Wellcome Historical Medical Library (London: Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, 1962-1973).