DESCAUNETS (Pierre) - Lot 312

DESCAUNETS (Pierre) Traité de la propriété et effets des eaux, bains doux et chauds, de Baignières et de Barège. Ensemble des bouillons de cochlearia & d'écrevisses de rivière, et des vulnéraires avec les observations raisonnées sur chaque fontaine en particulier. Toulouse, Hénault, 1729. In 12: 8f., 67pp. 2f. Handwritten initials D. P. - 1729 on endpapers. Antique stiff vellum. First edition (approval is November 1728). Carrère does not mention any other edition between this one and that of 1745 and this so-called 4th (no 2nd or 3rd edition is known). He points out the augmentations, namely : Addition au Traité... (pp. 51-82), Suite des Observations (83-97), Dissertation sur le Traité (99-126), Lettre du Frère Simon (last 4 ff.). The description of Bagnères is unfortunately a little sketchy: "on one side of the Mountains...on the other a charming & high ridge with beautiful trees, which form an alley for hunting woodpigeons, which is done regularly every year from the beginning of October until St Martin's Day". (Carrère, Catal. eaux minérales 449). The author, master surgeon and juror of Bagnères-de-Bigorre. As early as 1729, he published treatises on the waters and baths of Bagnères and Barèges.