Wellcome’s Medical Diary and Visiting List, War Emergency Edition, 1918

232pp, 192pp, xcvi. Fully bound in brown morocco leather wallet with internal pencil holder. Endpapers gold-based with red unicorns (based, according the to Wellcome Trust, on 16th century medieval designs). Blind embossed titles on front and spine. All edges sprayed red. Brass pin button clip to close. Wipe away memorandum sheet pasted onto rear endpaper.12mo. Leather wallet is a little rubbed and chipped on edges, a little worn with a few small scuffs and chips. Internally neat, clean, bright and tight throughout. Launched towards the end of the 19th century, Burroughs Wellcome’s medical diaries became a staple of the medical profession, even being reviewed in medical journals. They were distributed to a select list of clients but also available for sale at prices between 2/6 and 5s at the turn of the century, depending on format and quality. (This copy has a week of appointment slots over four pages – the largest version available). Also includes notes on various diseases and treatments (and of course, Burroughs, Wellcome’s pharmaceutical products and therapies. This copy, a rare survival, has not been used, but there is a number pencilled in on the memorandum sheet at the end of the volume. Now a fascinating insight into the practical of medicine, and the pharmaceutical industry during the first world war.