Paris, Didot Jeune, 1807. Large 4to (25.3 x 19.8 cm). 24 pp., including title page, numbered [i]-vi, 7-24. Later marbled boards. Spine with brown leather label with gilt title.

A rarely seen thesis on snake venom, in particular of the adder, written and defended by the French medical doctor and former officer in the French Marine, Louis-Henri Gaignepain de La Chaussée (b. 1776), from Couture-d'Arjençon [Argençon] in the department of Deux-Sèvres. In this thesis, the author advocates several treatments of snake bites, and rejected others. Among the examinators, we find the names of Duméril and Dejussieu, as well as Leroux, Des Genettes, and Petit-Radel. The author dedicated this work to his brother, Jean-Henri Gaignepain de La Chaussée (1760-1837). Approbation (?) stamp of the Faculté de Medecine de Paris on the last page; Ex-libris of former owner pasted to inner front board. A very good, clean and wide-margined copy, in an attractive binding. Not in any major bibliography.