Amazing rare antique book 1918 "Vitalogy or on sale Encyclopedia of Health and Home" by Drs. Wood & Ruddock; incredible illustrations, health advice
on sale Honestly you could look through this book for hours on end - we did so yesterday in fact! - this book would be such a fun conversation piece to put on a coffee table or a desk. It's a 973-page reference book from 104 years ago, titled "Vitalogy or Encyclopedia of Health and Home, Adapted For Home and Family Use" published by the Vitalogy Association (sold by subscription only) of Chicago in 1918. The authors are Dr. George P. Wood, M. D., and Dr. E. H. Ruddock, M. D. I wish I could use more than ten images - there are hundreds of fascinating images of all varieties. The book's copyright is from 1904, renewed in 1913. It was printed by M. A. Donohue & Company of Chicago. This copy seems to have been rebound many decades ago.
The very first article is on "Health In Sunbeams" (subsections of "Taking a Picture Through a Man's Body," "How the Sun Cures," "How to Prepare a Room for Sun Baths," etc.)and is fascinating in itself. The next article is on "The Hygiene of Sleep" followed by "Accidents and Emergencies - Snake Bites" (can be cured by Kerosene Oil, alcohol, onions, etc.!) followed by another 960 pages of great content! Any illness or ailment you can think of is covered here - bunions, chills, apoplectic fits, sore throat, broken bones, cramps, burns, typhoid fever, Bright's disease, scrofula, toothaches, etc. There is a section on pregnancy, on infant diseases, medical plants, fruits, advice on clothing, on tobacco, how to "keep old age matter out of the system," patent medicines, animal diseases, the "wonderful X-ray," detecting bad water, alcohol, the Japanese method of treatment, and hundreds more topics.
I love the picture on p. 858, captioned "Never marry a man of this type," and on p. 859 "Type of Women Men Should Shun When Choosing A Life Companion"!
Plain blue cloth-covered boards, with gilt titling on spine. Several pages have closed tears or marks. Pages 307/308 are mostly absent. Discoloration along page edges. Overall a nice copy, though, and one which will make for fascinating reading! Similar editions of this title are usually priced between $80-180. As always, my copy is priced to sell, and will be shipped within 24 hours of your order.
Free local pickup is available in Geneva, IL. Free shipping, with tracking, on this item. Thanks for looking!