914J Vigo, Giovanni de Vigo 1450-1525 and Santo, Mariano, 1488-1577.

(Opera domini Joannis de Vigo in chyrurgia. Additur chyrurgia Mariani sancti Barolitani…). S(e)c(un)da pars practice in p(ro)fessione chirurgica q(ue) Copendiosa nuncupa(r)t: totius chirurgie documenta q(ua) in copiosa. volume. 2 (of  2). 

Lyon, Jaco.q.Fra[n]cisci de Giu[n]ta et socij florentini,saptimo Idus Junii 1521.              Price $2,950.
 
 

Folio 20 x 5:15 cm. Signatures: a-e4 and a-g8 h4 With two woodcut title vignette in floral borders with figurative elements A patient,Vigo,and a student/assistant, an attractive woodcut printer’s mark, 3 small text woodcuts, and numerous figurative woodcut initials. 1 unnumbered, 57 numbered, 3 unnumbered leaves. Later blind-stamped half-leather binding over a vellum antiphonal leaf with binding waste underneath. 

Giovanni de Vigo, who was born in at Rapallo, Italy, lived in the early Renaissance period (1450-1525). In 1503, De Vigo became the personal surgeon to Pope Julius II. He wrote a surgical book, ” Practica Copiosa in Arte Chirurgia,” which was completed in 1514 and published in Latin. It was translated into English by Richard Traheron and printed by Edward Whytchurch in 1543. Vigo’s ” Chirurgia” consists of nine books ranging from a consideration of anatomy necessary for a surgeon, to sections on abscesses, wounds, ulcers, benign and malignant tumors, fractures and dislocations, pharmaceuticals, ointments and plasters, as well as sections on dentistry, exercise, diet, syphilis, among others. De Vigo introduces a novel approach for treating mandible dislocations and describes a trephine he invented, as well as a number of new instruments. Examination of his surgical piece demonstrates that he had a broad spectrum of knowledge in surgery based in part on the ancient Greek and Arabic medical literature but mainly on his personal experience. Giovanni de Vigo contributed significantly to the revival of medicine in the sixteenth century, and he can be considered as a bridge between Greek medicine of antiquity, Arabic medicine, and the Renaissance.”
” Review of the ” Chirurgia ” of Giovanni de Vigo: Estimate of His Position in the History of Surgery VL – 27 DO – 10.1007/s00268-003-6819-9 JO – World journal of surgery ER

Vigo’s practical manual used throughout Europe for more than a century. Giovanni da Vigo (surgeon to Pope Julius II) systematized wound-care, operations, bandaging, therapeutics, and military surgery, including the early theories concerning gunshot wounds that would later be challenged by Paré. The 1521 Lyon edition is prized for its clear typography, woodcut initials, and strong paper, and this volume (the Secunda Pars Practice) contains the core of Vigo’s practical case-based surgery as well as the supplementary treatise of Marianus Sanctus of Barletta. Bound in later blind-stamped leather over a vellum antiphonal leaf with further binding waste, offering rich material-evidence teaching potential.”

Adams V 762; Hirsch-H. V, 758. Baudrier,; VI, 109; Gültlingen,; II, 135, 80; BJ 16,; V-395 

A highlight of the volume are several small but historically important woodcut depictions of medieval cautery instruments—flat, spoon-shaped, and pointed irons—used by Marianus Sanctus of Barletta. These represent some of the earliest printed surgical tool illustrations in Europe, preceding the more elaborate sets in Paré by several decades.

Cauterium acutum (sharp-headed cautery) This is a long-shafted cautery iron with: A straight shank
A flattened, slightly pointed working end
Used for linear cauterization, often on deep fistulas or sinus tracts.
Marianus uses this to burn out necrotic tissue and to “search” a wound.

Cauterium anumale / cauterium ad similitudinem cochleae (“spoon-shaped” or “cupped” cautery)Notice the broad rectangular head with a notched or hollowed underside, and the angled neck. This is the classic “cupped cautery”, sometimes described as: cochleare ustorium (spoon-burner) cauterium ad similitudinem ductonis (duck-bill cautery)

Cauterium planum (flat-faced cautery) This instrument has: A square/rectangular flat face
A short shaft A clear distinction between handle and head

The index to Mariano Santo’s Compendium chirurgiae reveals a tightly organized, condition-based surgical manual structured around core operative categories—apostemata, wounds, ulcers, and related lesions—each treated through concise sequences of diagnosis and intervention. In contrast to Vigo’s expansive and theoretical Practica, Santo’s work reduces surgical knowledge to practical units, emphasizing actionable treatment over systematic exposition.

Jamesgray2@me.com

Short Link: https://wp.me/s3kzOR-33184