MALCOLM, A[ndrew] G[eorge]. The History of the General Hospital, Belfast, and the other Medical Institutions of the Town: with Chronological Notes and Biographical Reminiscences connected with its Rise and Progress [IN FINE MARCUS WARD BINDING]

With a frontispiece and a further eight engraved/lithographed plates. Belfast: Agnew, 1851. First edition. Quarto. pp. [2], vii, [2], 10-139, 1], xxxii. Handsomely bound by Marcus Ward (their embossed stamp on front free endpaper) in contemporary green calf, richly tooled in gilt and blind, contrasting red calf lettering-piece. ‘Ebenezer Pike’ in gilt on upper cover. Loosely inserted is an A.L.S., dated 1851, in the hand of William H. Malcolm, the author’s brother, presenting this copy to C. Pike Esq. Marbled endpapers. Lightly rubbed, scattered spotting. All edges gilt. A very attractive copy.
Andrew George Malcolm (1818-1856) physician and medical historian, who was employed by the General Hospital in Belfast. He has been called the “earliest respiratory physiologist” of the hospital. Today, he is mostly known for his reports on the sanitary state of Belfast and particularly for his History of the General Hospital. Malcolm is also considered to be the “first historian” of Belfast General Hospital. This is the first edition of physician Andrew George Malcolm’s survey of the medical institutions of Belfast, including the Royal Hospital where he spent much of his career. He states in this history, “Clinical instruction is not to be imparted by a careless walk through the wards. On the part of the teacher, the most patient, assiduous, vigilant, zealous and unceasing labour, and on the part of the pupil, the most rigid attendance, are absolutely necessary to develop the educational resources of a Hospital’. There are seven engraved plates, a folding plate of facsimile signatures and a floor plan.