Seplasium – William Salmon – 1693 | English Medicine in Leather Binding

1693 Seplasium by William Salmon is a compact yet ambitious English medical manual combining plant-based pharmacology, household chemistry, and speculative science. Titled in full Seplasium. The Compleat English Physician; or, The Druggist’s Shop Opened, this early London printing reflects the eclectic approach of its author, who attracted criticism and attention alike. The binding is full leather with a gilt-titled red morocco label to the spine. Known to bibliographers and early chemistry collectors, this edition is recorded by Duveen, who referred to it as “an interesting compilation by the well-known quack.”

Salmon deviates from his norm in this work by exploring other natural sciences. However, because of his focus on medicine he does present an article on animals and plants and their medical properties and healing salves. According to Alden, this book is a good reference for West Indian plants and medicines.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Seplasium. The Compleat English Physician; or, The Druggist’s Shop Opened
• Author(s): William Salmon
• Publisher: London, Printed for Andrew Gilliflower
• Edition: First Edition, 1693.
• Format: Octavo, single volume
• Binding: Full leather, gilt morocco title label
• Size:  7 in x 4.5 in (17.8 cm x 11.4 cm)
• Collation: [72], 1207 pp
• Contents Include:
  • Instructions for compounding gunpowder for household use
  • Methods for brewing and bottling beer
  • Accounts of unicorns, satyrs, and lycopanthers as real zoological entities
  • Observations on tobacco as a cause of illness
  • Use of opium and cannabis in treating madness and easing labor pains
  • Inclusions related to witchcraft, spiritual ailments, and folk remedies
• Provenance: Handwritten signature of T. Carter Livesey, comedian
• Reference(s): ESTC R37144; Duveen 528; Wing S 452

Condition:

Bound in full leather, the volume is structurally sound. The spine features a morocco label with gold lettering intact. Beautiful leather! Page edges are clean and uniformly trimmed. Internally, the volume is complete and the typography remains strong. The paper is well-preserved, with solid margins throughout. No markings interfere with the text, and the gatherings remain tight.

Why Collect This?

• Scarce 1693 first edition
• Includes early printed references to cannabis and opium as treatment
• Combines natural philosophy, medicine, and the occult in one volume

• Ideal for collectors of early English medicine, pharmacopoeias, and fringe science