BERNARD, CLAUDE. - THE DISCOVERY OF THE GLYCOGENIC FUNCTION OF THE LIVER.

Sur une nouvelle fonction du foie chez l'homme et les animaux. (Extrait par l'auteur).

(Paris, Bachelier),1850. 4to. No wrappers. In: "Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de L'Academie des Sciences", Tome XXXI, No. 17. With titlepage to vol. 31. Pp. (561-) 592. (Entire issue offered). Bernard's paper: pp. 571-574. Titlepage with a faint stamp to top and a stamp in lower margin.

First appearance of the first exposition of the glycogenic function of the liver - one of the greatest physiological discoveries of the 19th century. Bernard showed that the liver builds up complex substances, including glycogen, from the nutriment brought to it by the blood and that these are subsequently modified for distribution to the body.

Dibner "Heralds of Science" No 131 - Horblit "One Hundred Books famous in Science" No. 11a, here listing "Nouvelle Fonction du Foie" from 1853 but with the remark "The work appeared earlier in abbreviated form in the "Comptes rendus" (the paper offered). - Exhibition of First Editions of Epochal Achievements in the History of Science, Berkeley 1934. No 107.

Order-nr.: 48830