An Essay on the Sea-Scurvy: Wherein is Proposed an Easy Method of Curing That Distemper at Sea; and of Preserving Water Sweeet for any Cruize or Voyage

First Edition, errata slip pasted to A4 verso, slight staining to title, library shelf mark to title verso, rebound, quarter calf, marbled boards, 8vo, Reading, C. Micklewright, 1753

A very scarce copy of Dr. Anthony Addington’s (1713-1790) famous essay on scurvy at sea. In this important early work, Addington perceived scurvy as being related to diet, the quality of air, the state of decay of provisions, and the putrefaction of water.

As treatment he recommended depletion, with the employment of seawater as a purgative, consuming meat was to be avoided, but regards biscuits as food suitable to those affected by scurvy. The method proposed for preserving the freshness of water at sea was the addition of muriatic acid, the hydrochloric acid of more recent chemistry.

Dr. Anthony Addington was a physician who devoted his attention particularly to the treatment of insanity. Addington gained considerable public attention when he appeared as an expert for the prosecution of Mary Blandy for the poisoning of her father Francis Blandy in 1752. William Pitt the elder and King George III are among his patients.

[ESTC N9801; Wellcome II, p.15; Blake, p.5]