(Oxford. University. Radcliffe Infirmary.)
Rules and Orders for the Government of the Radcliffe Infirmary, at Oxford
Founded by Dr. Radcliffe's Trustees, and supported by voluntary Subscription
Description:
FIRST EDITION; title page and final leaf lightly soiled but a very good copy,
pp. 28, 4to.
untrimmed in twentieth-century half vellum, spine titled in ink; a little soiled but a very good copy.
Publication Details:
Oxford: W. Jackson, 1770
Notes: Scarce first edition of these rules of governance for the newly opened Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford's first hospital. The court physician John Radcliffe (1652-1714) left the bulk of his estate to his Oxford alma mater University College, but he also left four thousand pounds with trustees to be used for other projects, which in Oxford included the Radcliffe Observatory, the Lunatic Asylum, and the Radcliffe Infirmary. The initial proposals to build a hospital with part of these funds were put forward in 1758. The facility, just off Woodstock Road, was constructed on land given by Thomas Rowney,...moreScarce first edition of these rules of governance for the newly opened Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford's first hospital. The court physician John Radcliffe (1652-1714) left the bulk of his estate to his Oxford alma mater University College, but he also left four thousand pounds with trustees to be used for other projects, which in Oxford included the Radcliffe Observatory, the Lunatic Asylum, and the Radcliffe Infirmary. The initial proposals to build a hospital with part of these funds were put forward in 1758. The facility, just off Woodstock Road, was constructed on land given by Thomas Rowney, one of the two members of parliament for Oxford. The foundation stone was laid on 27 August 1761 and the infirmary officially opened on October 18 1770. This book of rules for the hospital outlines its funding, management and governance, but also provides a salary guide and come of conduct for medical staff. Physicians are expected to do rounds, present cases to one another, and assess patient needs; 'the Matron's salary be fifteen pounds a year; and a gratuity, not exceeding ten pounds, be given her if she behaves well'; the 'House Apothecary' must not dispense medicine without the oversight of the physicians and surgeons, and nurses are listed as 'servants'. The hospital is now enjoying an afterlife as the University's Humanities Division. Scarce. ESTC cites only 3 copies: Bodleian Library in UK, and U. S. National Library of Medicine, and Yale School of Medicine in America, but Library Hub also lists copies at National Library of Scotland, University of St. Andrew's, University of Strathclyde, and Wellcome. Later 18th century editions are also scarce; 1788 is the earliest edition held by the British Library. HIDE
Bibliography: (ESTC: T195092)
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