De aure humana tractatus

Valsalva's De aure humana tractatus (Treatise of the human ear), was published in 1704, twenty-one years after Du Verney's Traite de l'organ de l'ouie (1683), and thus was the second book published solely on the ear. But Valsalva included minute details of blood supply, nerves, muscles, membranes, physiology, and pathology for all anatomical sites of the ear. His book was also better suited for teaching purposes, and for this reason became more iconic. Of course, like Du Verney, Valsalva made errors: He introduced the "Valsalva maneuver" on the assumption that there was a natural anatomical opening in the tympanic membrane (notch of Rivinus) so that infectious debris could be expelled. This was a false premise and there is no such hole.

It was Valsalva who named the Eustachian tube after Eustachius in respect for the description the latter had provided.

Valsalva, Antonio Maria, 1666-1723

Bononiae : Typis Constantini Pisarii ...

1704

Ear
Deglutition Disorders
Pharynx
Uvula

Given by Dr. Dr. Dennis G. Pappas, Sr.; belongs to the Dennis G. Pappas, Sr. Otolaryngology Collection, Reynolds-Finley Historical Library, UAB Libraries, University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Book: [16], 184, [2] p., X leaves of plates (1 folded) : ill. (engravings) ; 24 cm (4to)

Latin