"LOIMOLOGIA GAVE DEFOE HIS STARTING POINT": SEMINAL FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH OF DR. HODGES' "FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT OF THE AETIOLOGY, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND SYMPTOMS OF THE PLAGUE," ISSUED IN 1720, THE SAME YEAR TERRIFYING NEWS OF THE MARSEILLES PLAGUE PROMPTED DEFOE TO BEGIN WORK ON HIS CLASSIC JOURNAL OF THE PLAGUE YEAR

(QUINCY, John) HODGES, Nath[aniel], M.D. Loimologia: Or, An Historical Account of the Plague in London in 1665… To which is added, An Essay on the dfifferent Causes of Pestilential Diseases, and how they become Contagious: With Remarks on the Infection now in France… By John Quincy, M.D. London: Printed for E. Bell… and J. Osborn,at the Oxford-Arms in Lombard-street, 1720. Octavo, period-style full speckled calf-gilt, red morocco spine label, raised bands; pp. (i-ii), iii-vi, 1-288.

First edition in English of the British physician's classic on the 1665 Great Plague of London, a major source for Defoe's 1722 Journal of the Plague Year, with Defoe relying on "Hodges’ horrifically graphic details” about the plague's “pestilential tokens… sure speedy Messengers of Death." Hodges was one of the few doctors who remained in London throughout the plague, and also stands out as one of the few to take notice of all the "Moles, Mice… [who] leave their Burrows, and lie open in the Air… a certain Sign of the Pestilence at Hand." With the translation into English by Dr. John Quincy, whose Essay of the Different Causes of Pestilential Diseases first appears here.

Dr. Nathaniel Hodges "exposed himself to extreme danger… [as] one of the few physicians who stayed in London during the outbreak of plague in 1665" (Kings College London). The 1720 publication of this first edition in English of his Loimologia, translated from the 1672 first edition in Latin, is especially significant in that it was issued in London the same year as the devastating Marseilles plague—"the most virulent to enter Europe since the Black Death of 1347-49" (Hammond & Sturgil, "French Plague"). When news of Marseilles reached London, "the English government responded by preparing quarantines, port closures and issuing Plague Orders." The news also triggered the keen interest of Daniel Defoe, who "desired above all to see England avoid the plague." As he began researching and writing his 1722 Journal of the Plague Year, Defoe drew heavily on "Hodges' horrifically graphic details and his rejection of such extreme measures as shutting in whole families… he decried the superstition and fears that drove people to panic and desperate measures." Loimologia remains "an important text in the early history of epidemiology and public health" (Byrne, Encyclopedia of the Black Death, 103-4, 175-76).

"Loimologia gave Defoe his starting point." Scholars have established that Defoe "relied upon very few sources for the the skeleton of his narrative," and especially looked to Hodges for background about a physician's experience (Nicholson, Historical Sources, 70-71). It is clear that Defoe "knew of Hodges… for he is mentioned in the Journal… It may be, too, that the imaginary Dr. Heath, 'my particular friend,' as Defoe described him, is based on Dr. Hodges." In his Journal, Defoe often cites this "Dr. Heath," writing, for example: "My friend, Dr. Heath, was of opinion that it might be known by the smell of their breath." Defoe also echoes Hodges in assessing the deadly signs of the plague. Hodges' characterization of the plague's "pestilential tokens"—those "sure and speedy Messengers of Death"—is "very similar to that given by Defoe, even to the size being likened to that of a silver penny" (Thomas, Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine, 109-7). At a time when rumors and theories about the plague ran from earthquakes to "unwholesome Vapours," Hodges' Loimologia stands out, as well, for famously pointing to the many "subterraneous [sic] Animals, such as Moles, Mice… [who] leave their Burrows, and lie open in the Air; which is also a certain Sign of a Pestilence at Hand." A classic in the field, Loimologia is a "first-hand account of the aetiology, epidemiology and symptoms of the plague" (Kings College London). This first edition, featuring translation from the Latin by London apothecary, physician and author John Quincy, also contains the first edition of his Essay of the Different Causes of Pestilential Diseases. Dr. Quincy, who pays close attention to the Marseilles Plague, and contends the plague was most commonly spread through infected persons or imported merchandise, as well as "noxious Particles floating.. to penetrate through the Pores upon the Surface." In addition, Quincy also focuses on factors such as climate and air temperature, and recommends a diet of "roasted meats," along with "Plenty of Spirits" to encourage "what easily perspires." First edition in English: continuously paginated with first edition of Quincy's Essay, which later appeared separately in 1721. Loimologia initially appeared in Latin in a 1671 edition that was issued without Quincy's Essay. With general title page; separate title page for Essay. Loimologia without folding "Table of the Funerals," often lacking. Engraved ornamental initials, head- and tailpieces throughout. ESTC T70493. Goldsmiths' 5904. Literary Culture of the Plague, 221. See ESTC T70492; T70494.

Interior generally fresh with occasional light dampstaining, a few leaves with marginal wormholes minimally affecting text. Beautifully bound.