North America
3,694 entries published in North America.
1788
#13366
Les eaux minérales et thermales de Saint-Dominique. Tome 1 (All Published).
One of the earliest medical publications printed in Haiti. Duvivier, Bibliographie générale et méthodique d'Haiti, 2, p. 206.
1789 –1793
#80
Medical inquiries and observations. 2 vols.
Rush was considered the ablest American clinician of his time. He was a friend of Benjamin Franklin and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. His many writings are distinguished for their classical st…
1789
#5470
An account of the bilious remitting fever. In his Medical inquiries and observations, 1, 104-21
One of the first important accounts of dengue (“breakbone fever”). Rush described the Philadelphia outbreak of 1780.
1789
#10348
Observations on the duties of a physician, and the methods of improving medicine. Accommodated to the present state of society and manners in the United States. Delivered in the University of Pennsylvania, February 7, 1789, at the conclusion of a course of lectures upon chemistry and the practice of physic.
Full text available from quod.lib.umich.edu at this link.
1790
#3677.1
Remarks on the diseases of the teeth.
The first "scientific" paper on dentistry to appear in an American periodical. Trained in France, Gardette accepted a commission as a surgeon in the French navy and went to America in 1778 when France sent her ships t…
1791
#7770
Travels through North & South Carolina, George, East & West Florida, the Cherokee country, the extensive territories of the Muscogulges, or Creek confederacy, and the country of the Chactaws [sic]...
Digital facsimile of London, 1794 second edition from the Internet Archive at this link.
1791
#8580
Return of the whole number of persons with the several districts of the United States, according to "An Act Providing for the Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the United States," passed March the first, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one.
The first Census of the United States was conducted on August 2, 1790. The results were used to allocate Congressional seats (congressional apportionment), electoral votes, and funding for government programs.The fede…
1792
#1775
An historical account of the climates and diseases of the United States of America, and of the remedies and methods of treatment, which have been found most useful and efficacious, particularly in those diseases which depend upon climate and situation: collected pricipally from personal observation, and the communications of physicians of talents and experience, residing in the several states.
Digital facsimile from the Medical Heritage Library, Internet Archive, at this link.
1792
#13371
Description de l'Hôpital général du Cap, dans laquelle on donne une idée de l'influence de l'air des marais sur les maladies endémiques qu'on y observe, avec un apperçu des inconvéniens de la situation du cimetière actuel, et ceux qui peuvent encore résulter du trop grand rapprochement du cimetière général que l'on vient d'établir. Ce mémoire a été lu en presence de MM. de Mirbeck et Roume, commissaires nationaux-civils délégués par le Roi à Saint-Domingue, associés nationaux de la Société royale des sciences et Arts du Cap-Français, dans sa séance du 30 janvier 1792.
Date inferred from reference on p. 14. Arthaud was "médecin breveté par le Roi au Cap, associé de la Société philosophique de Philadelphie, correspondant de la Société royale de médecin de Paris, de la Sociét…
1793
#5451
A short account of the malignant fever, lately prevalent in Philadelphia: With a statement of the proceedings that took place on the subject in different parts of the United States.
Carey was a Philadelphia publisher and economist rather than a physician. In this little book, which passed through four editions in a few months, Carey left a graphic description of the great yellow fever epidemic of…
1793
#5452
A description of the malignant, infectious fever prevailing at present in Philadelphia; with an account of the means to prevent infection, and the remedies and method of treatment, which have been found most successful.
Digital facsimile from the Internet Archive at this link.
1793
#13897
The family adviser, or, a plain and modern practice of physic; calculated for the use of private families, and accommodated to the diseases of America
Wilkins' book intended for Methodists was issued with the 23rd edition of Wesley's work. Digital facsimile from wellcomecollection.org at this link.
1794
#5453
An account of the bilious remitting yellow fever, as it appeared in the city of Philadelphia in the year 1793.
Benjamin Rush was the most eminent figure in Philadelphia medicine in his day. His description of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 is classic. He did magnificent work in treating the sick during the epidemic and in p…
1794
#5453.1
A narrative of the proceedings of the black people during the late awful calamity in Philadelphia, in the year 1793: and a refutation of some censures thrown upon them in some late publications.
A refutation of slights by Matthew Carey in his Short account of the malignant fever, lately prevalent in Philadelphia (1793; No. 5451) to the important contributions of black people, many of whom served as nurses and…
1794
#9387
An enquiry into, and observations upon the causes and effects of the epidemic disease, which raged in Philadelphia from the month of August till towards the middle of December, 1793.
Text in English and French on facing pages. Digital facsimile from the Medical Heritage Library, Internet Archive at this link.
1794
#9989
Hortus Americanus, containing an account of the trees, shrubs, and other vegetable productions of South-America and the West-India islands, and particularly of the island of Jamaica; interspersed with many curious and useful observations, respecting their uses in medicine, diet, and mechanics.
Digital facsimile from Biodiversity Heritage Library at this link.
1796
#13162
An account of the epidemic fever which prevailed in the city of New York, during part of the summer and fall of 1795.
Traces the spread of yellow fever in late July, 1795, to the ship Zephyr, recently arrived from the West Indies. After spreading to nearby ships and then into the neighborhoods surrounding the port, the epidemic kille…
1797
#7687
An inquiry into the cause of the prevalence of the yellow fever in New-York.
Includes four early plot maps; Seaman was one of the first to create maps that attempted to show the spread of contagious disease.
1798
#9309
Collections for an essay towards a materia medica of the United States. Read before the Philadelphia Medical Society, on the twenty-first of February, 1798.
Digital facsimile of the 1798 edition from the U.S. National Library of Medicine at this link. Digital facsimile of the much-expanded third edition (1810) from Google Books at this link.
1799
#1675.1
A brief history of epidemic and pestilential diseases. 2 vols.
“The best general summary of epidemiological opinion at the beginning of the nineteenth century; and few works surpass it as a compendium of earlier speculations in this field”. (Winslow). A great linguist, Webster wa…
1799
#7218
Fragments of the Natural History of Pennsylvania. Part First [All Published].
This 24-page pamphlet is the first work by an American devoted entirely to American birds. It deals predominantly with migratory birds, arranged according to the dates throughout the year 1791 in which they were first…
1799
#10511
A description of the American yellow fever, which prevailed at Charleston, in South Carolina, in the year 1748.
Digital facsimile from U.S. National Library of Medicine at this link.
1800 –1802
#5424
A prospect of exterminating the small-pox, being the history of the variolae vaccinae, or kine-pox, commonly called the cow-pox; as it has appeared in England: With an account of a series of inoculations performed for the kine-pox in Massachusetts. [Part II:] A prospect of exterminating the small pox part II, being a continuation of a narrative of facts concerning the progress of the new inoculation in America; together with practical observations on the local appearance, symptoms, and mode of treating the variola vaccina, or kine pock; including some letters to the author, from distinguished characters, on the subject of this benign remedy, now passing with a rapid step through all ranks of society in Europe and America.
Waterhouse introduced Jennerian vaccination into the U.S.A. He vaccinated his own child as his first case. See J. B. Blake, Benjamin Waterhouse and the introduction of vaccination. A reappraisal. Philadelphia, 1957. D…
1801
#1838.2
The American herbal, or materia medica.
The first herbal both produced and printed in the United States, as opposed to those which were reprints of European works. Includes information on native American remedies. Digital facsimile from the Medical Heritage…
1801
#3678
A treatise on the human teeth, concisely explaining their structure and cause of disease and decay.
First American book on the teeth, a pamphlet of 26pp. It was intended for the lay public and listed sound rules of oral hygiene, explained the nature of dental diseases and their treatment, and stressed preventive mai…
1801
#9897
The medical assistant, or Jamaica practice of physic: Designed chiefly for the use of families and plantations.
Digital facsimile from the U.S. National Library of Medicine at this link.
1802
#5425
Practical observations on vaccination: or inoculation for the cow pock.
Coxe did much to destroy ignorant prejudice against vaccination; he was the first in Philadelphia to practice it. Like Waterhouse, he inoculated his own child as his first case.
1802
#13356
Instruction des Officiers de Santé en Chef de l'Armée sur les maladies internes et externes des troupes à Sainte-Domingue, et sur leur traitement.
The date of this undated work has been inferred. The 40-page pamphlet issued during the early stages of the French expedition to the island, provided instructions by the chief medical officers of the army for medical …
1803
#982
An experimental inquiry into the principles of nutrition, and the digestive process.
Young, one of the first American experimental physiologists, showed the solvent principle in the gastric juice to be an acid, but wrongly inferred that it was phosphoric acid. He also deduced the association and synch…
1803
#9310
Elements of botany, or outlines of the natural history of vegetables.
The first American textbook of botany. Digital facsimile of the revised 1804 London edition from the Hathi Trust at this link.
1803
#10445
An epistle to a friend, on the means of preserving health, promoting happiness; and prolonging the life of man to its natural period. Being a summary view of inconsiderate and useless habits that derange the system of nature, thereby causing premature old age and death : with some thoughts on the best means of preventing and overcoming disease.
Written by the first great American painter. Digital facsimile from the Internet Archive at this link.
1804
#11317
Catalogue of the natural productions and curiosities, which compose the collections of the Cabinet of Natural History, opened for public exhibition, at No. 38, William-Street, New-York.
One of the first natural history museums in the U.S., supported by subscription. According to the text, David Hosack and Wright Post were among the supporters of the project. The copy at the U.S. National Library of M…
1805
#3430.1
An essay on wounds of the intestines.
The first serious attempt at repairing intestinal injuries in America, and the first use of dogs for experimental surgery in America.
1806
#10379
A catalogue of the medical library, belonging to the Pennsylvania Hospital; exhibiting the names of authors and editors, in alphabetical order, and an arrangement of them under distinct heads. Also, a list of articles contained in the anatomical museum; and the rules of the museum and of the library.
Probably the first catalogue of a medical museum in the United States and also possibly the first catalogue of an institutional medical library. The library was open to users for a one time payment of $30, later raise…
1806
#12134
The American dispensatory, containing the operations of pharmacy; Together with the natural, chemical, pharmaceutical and medical history of the different substances employed in medicine; illustrated and explained, according to the principles of modern chemistry: Comprehending the improvements in Dr. Duncan's second edition of the Edinburgh new dispensatory. The arrangement simplified, and the whole adapted to the practice of medicine and pharmacy in the United States. With several copperplates, exhibiting the new system of chemical characters, and representing the most useful apparatus.
Coxe's "formulary" was the first attempt at standarization of drugs and their preparation in the United States. Digital facsimile from the U.S. National Library of Medicine at this link.
1807
#6163.1
A compendium of the theory and practice of midwifery.
First significant textbook on obstetrics written by an American. Bard gave an excellent description of the mechanism of labor, and of pre-eclampsia. Woodcut illustrations were engraved by American physician and illust…
1807
#7049
The planter's and mariner's medical companion: treating, according to the most successful practice, I. The diseases common to warm climates and on ship board. II. Common cases in surgery, as fractures, dislocations, &c. &c. III. The complaints peculiar to women and children. To which are subjoined a dispensatory, shewing how to prepare and administer family medicines, and a glossary giving an explanation of technical terms.
Ewell, then practicing in Savannah, Georgia, wrote this self-help book for southern residents, directing his book toward plantation owners. It was "the constant friend of a large number of slave-masters. In emergencie…
1808 –1814
#9498
American ornithology; or, the natural history of the birds of the United States: Illustrated with plates engraved and colored from original drawings taken from nature. 9 vols.
Considered the "father of American ornithology," Wilson was the greatest American ornithologist before Audubon. Wilson died with the 7th volume in press, and the 8th and 9th volumes were completed by Wilson's friend G…
1808
#10067
The pharmacopoeia of the Massachusetts Medical Society,
The first state pharmacopeia issued in the United States. Jackson and Warren were the "Committee for the Pharmacopoeia." Digital facsimile from the Internet Archive at this link.
1809
#10602
Cases of organic diseases of the heart. With dissections and some remarks intended to point out the distinctive symptoms of these diseases.
The first monograph on heart disease written and published in the United States. Digital text from Project Gutenberg at this link.
1810
#4675
An inaugural dissertation on the disease termed petechial, or spotted fever. Submitted to the Examining Committee of the Medical Society of Connecticut, for the county of Hartford.
This graduation dissertation was the first published brochure on cerebrospinal meningitis. Digital facsimile from U.S. National Library of Medicine at this link.
1811
#4676
A treatise on a malignant epidemic, commonly called spotted fever.
First book on cerebrospinal meningitis; in it North recommended the use of the clinical thermometer, not in general use until the time of Wunderlich. For more information on this book, see the article by F. L. Pleadwe…
1811
#7801
The maternal physician; a treatise on the nurture and management of infants, from the birth until two years old. Being the result of sixteen years' experience in the nursery. Illustrated by extracts from the most approved medical authors
The first American book on pediatrics, in the tradition of "advice books" or childcare manuals for mothers. This was the first American printed book on a medical subject written by a woman. Pages 248-75 publish a list…
1811 –1813
#11320
A system of anatomy or the use of students of medicine. 2 vols.
The first American textbook of anatomy. The first edition contained nearly 1000 pages of text, but no illustrations. Later editions were expanded, illustrated and updated by William E. Horner, and Joseph Pancoast. Dig…
1812
#4924
Medical inquiries and observations upon the diseases of the mind.
The first American textbook on psychiatry, and, considering the state of that science in Rush’s time, one of the most noteworthy. It underwent four editions.
1813
#5585.1
Elements of surgery; for the use of students. 2 vols.
The first systematic treatise on surgery written by an American. The work is notable for containing not only Dorsey’s original contributions, but for its publication of the work of Dorsey’s uncle and teacher, the pion…
1814
#3679.3
A treatise on the management of the teeth.
The first full-length book on dentistry published in the United States, and the first American book on the subject with a dental illustration.
1814
#9641
Botanic medicine: A new and complete American medical family herbal: Wherein is displayed the true properties and medical virtues of the plants, indigenous to the United States of America, together with Lewis' secret remedy newly discovered, which has been found infallible in the cure of that dreadful disease hydrophobia, produced by the bite of a mad dog.
Henry wrote that he had been a captive of the Indians during the Creek War and that he incorporated what he learned during his captivity. His work was one of the first illlustrated herbals published in the United Stat…
1815
#9206
Economical observations on military hospitals; and the prevention and cure of diseases incident to an army. In three parts: addressed I. To ministers of state and legislatures, II. To commanding officers, III. To the medical staff.
When this was published Tilton was serving as the first Surgeon General of the Army. On the title page of his book he characterized himself as "Physician and Surgeon in the Revolutionary Army of the United States." Di…
1815
#12914
The summum bonum.
The first book on dentistry published in Canada. Facsimile edition, Montreal, 1969.