aa4, a-z4, A-C4, D1 (with aa1, c4-d2, h1 & i3 supplied in facsimile). [4], 105 fl. Errata to verso of last leaf. Illustrated with 58 original printed woodcuts depicting aspects of real & imagined embryology, plus historiated initials & others in facsimile. (4to) 7¼x5¼, old full calf, panelled in blind on covers. First Latin Edition.

Jakob Rueff (1500-58) was the town physician and Professor of Medicine at the university in Zurich, famed particularly as a surgeon and obstetrician. This book was published simultaneously in Zurich in two editions, one in German and one in Latin, of which the present copy is an example, and it is known to be the first to contain "true anatomical pictures in an obstetrics book." Indeed, Rueff described smooth-edged forceps for delivery of a live baby, preceding Chamberlan, and a toothed forceps for an extraction of the dead fetus, both illustrated within. Also, celphic versions of manipulation are explored in the cuts as too are the conjugal twin variations and cross-mammalian fantasy. The first English translation would not appear until 1637, titled pragmatically The Expert Midwife. Divided into six sections or "books" the volume covers the entire pregnancy cycle along with discourses on related medical diseases and situations. Book one opens with information on conception and nutrition of the fetus; the second section contains descriptions of the uterus and guidelines for the pregnant women; book three deals with the birthing process, subsequent care of mother and infant, as well as a portion devoted to the use of obstetric instruments; section four pertains to the management of "unnatural" births such as multiples and awkward presentations; book five discusses related conditions such as false pregnancy, uterine tumors, abortions, and deformed infants (or "monsters"); while section six discusses causes for sterility with suggested remedies. With fine armorial bookplate of Clare College, Cambridge University, 1701 and also early signature of "J. Littlechild, Fulbourn [village near Cambridge], his Book" to front endpapers. Also, some old marginalia near leaf numbers noting (studiously?) flowers in English. Morton 463.