BÉRILLON (Dr. Edgar). — Pre-Columbian Pathology as Reflected - Lot 32

BÉRILLON (Dr. Edgar). — Pre-Columbian Pathology as Reflected in Aztec Ex-Votos Paris, Revue de Psychothérapie—A. Maloine, publisher, 1911. Stapled in-8 booklet, printed cover preserved, spine formerly reinforced with a strip of gummed paper. Illustrated with 16 figures in the text, reproducing Aztec statuettes and ex-votos interpreted from a pathological perspective. First edition of this curious and unusual study by Edgar Bérillon (1859–1948), a psychiatrist, professor at the School of Psychology, and editor of the Revue de psychothérapie. Contemporary bibliographies confirm the publication of this study in 1911 in the *Revue de l’Hypnotisme*; the BnF also lists the work under this title. Here, Bérillon attempts a form of retrospective paleopathology, using human representations from Aztec civilization as medical documents. Based on the figurines’ postures, gestures, facial expressions, and anatomical features, he proposes to identify various conditions: abdominal pain, appendicitis, vomiting, dental problems, skin rashes, etc. One of the figures reproduced in the book is thus captioned “Dental neuralgia.” The study is part of a trend characteristic of medicine and anthropology at the turn of the 20th century, which sought to draw information about the diseases and behaviors of extinct populations from ancient works of art. Bérillon would later champion this method of “psychological analysis of painted or sculpted figures” and specifically cite this study among his works. A rare pamphlet on medical Americanism, at the intersection of pre-Columbian archaeology, the history of medicine, and Aztec iconography. One copy, in particular, appeared in 2021 in a book auction as part of a collection of works on ancient Mexico. Condition: cover slightly soiled and scuffed, with minor creases and marginal wear; spine formerly reinforced with adhesive tape; a few old pencil annotations on the cover and title page. Interior in fair condition. Copy in its original binding, despite the noted flaws.

Estimation:€80

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