Influence de la pression de l'air sur la vie de l'homme - Climats d'altitude et climats de montagne

First edition. (See Perret 2404. Not listed in Sabin.)

A handsome copy.

Contemporary midnight blue half shagreen bindings, spines with four raised bands adorned with gilt dotted rules and triple gilt panels with decorative tools, minor rubbing to the tail of the spine of the first volume, blind-stamped borders on the boards covered in midnight blue paper, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, two corners slightly bumped, the others very lightly worn, all edges gilt.

The first volume includes 28 plates out of text (2 in colour), 1 leaf of legend, 4 double-page coloured maps; the second volume contains 14 plates out of text (1 in colour) and 4 double-page coloured maps.

Major study of the respiratory effects of natural depressions and elevations in atmospheric pressure. Chapter III explores the altitudes of South America, Chapter IV focuses on Mexico. A particularly significant chapter details the experiments conducted by the author with Paul Bert. Denis Jourdanet practised medicine in Central America, especially in Mexico, where he studied the medical implications of altitude. As early as 1861, he published the results of his initial observations. In the mid-19th century, early high-altitude mountain ascents and balloon ascents gave rise to the need for in-depth research into the physiological impact of altitude. Jourdanet and Paul Bert collaborated on this topic: thanks to Jourdanet’s generous support, Paul Bert was able to equip his Sorbonne laboratory with two large cylindrical chambers in which air pressure could be raised or lowered at will. For a time, the two scientists considered publishing their findings together, "mais la réflexion nous fit bientôt voir que l'exécution de ce projet serait impossible (…) Il n'en est pas moins vrai qu'il reste encore entre nous deux, sinon dans les opinions intimes, du moins dans l'ensemble de l'œuvre, comme une solidarité qui ne permet pas qu'on nous sépare d'une manière absolue" (Appendix, vol. II, p. 293). Jourdanet's work offers the medical perspective, grounded in "longue pratique médicale au milieu de conditions exceptionnelles de pressions barométriques", whereas Paul Bert would go on to publish the experimental results and consequences of extreme barometric pressures in "La pression barométrique. Recherches de physiologie expérimentale", 1878.