An Austrian barber surgeon's recipe book.

4to. German manuscript on paper. A total of ca. 358 written pages on 264 ff.: (1), (1 blank), (2), (6 blank), (1), (1 blank), 1-344 (of which 5 blank), (18 blank), (23), (26 blank), (1) pp. (of which 32 pp. are bound at the end with at total of 17 pp. of alphabetical index entries, mostly with thumb index). Contemporary vellum. Very extensive collection of medical recipes compiled by a 17th century barber surgeon, as emerges from the two-page preface in verse. Inserted between part one (pp. 1-240, comprising more than 500 recipes) and part two (some 150 additional recipes, pp. 278-344) are two instructional texts in the same handwriting, explicitly addressed to barber surgeons: "Fragen von der Baders Profession" (pp. 241-261) and "Frag Stuckh, wie man sich nach denen Fragen freintlich beantworten soll" (pp. 265-270). These sections also discuss early modern anatomical problems, such as the structure and qualities of the brain: made of "soft and light-coloured tissue", it is said to consist of three parts of various sizes, which respectively, from largest to smallest, govern reason, memory, and imagination. - The pharmaceutical section is followed by lists of chemical symbols (marked by a thumb tab), apothecaries' weights, and a catalogue of various ointments and oils, plague herbs and roots. At the end are a table of contents with an alphabetical thumb index and a list of Latin plant names. - As the recipes' titles reveal, the contents of the book was drawn from the practical experience of contemporary barber surgeons, some of whom are identified by name. The book offers a plethora of simple remedies for "drying wounds", "bandages for old harms", "to kill mites in the hair", or "to drive out mice and flies". But the treatment of more serious diseases such as jaundice, plague or cancer is not neglected. A particularly interesting - and potentially poisonous - remedy is an anticarcinogenic balm containing white lead, "so as that the cancer may not grow and devour"; other remedies are intended to help "those who cannot pass their water". Some cures are recommended for humans as well as animals, others (such as wearing a verbena root) are believed to ward off sorcery. - The Tyrolean origins of the manuscript are suggested not only by the dialect, but also by one recipe that specifically refers to Duke Sigismund of Tyrol, who is said personally to have used a certain potion against wounds. Some recipes appear to have been supplemented by different, slightly later hands. - Light waterstain to upper margin, occasionally affecting legibility of a few lines; some browning and finger-soiling throughout. Binding stained and browned, rubbed and bumped, covers showing minor traces of worming as well as cut marks.