Philippe PINEL (1745–1826), psychiatrist. L.A.S., Paris, 11 - Lot 201

Philippe PINEL (1745–1826), psychiatrist. L.A.S., Paris, 11 Nivôse, Year XIV (January 1, 1806), to a “dear colleague”; 1 page, in-4 (slightly damp). He acknowledges “the keen interest you take in the advancement of that branch of medicine concerned with disorders of mental function, which bears such a close resemblance to the science you cultivate with such success.” He recommends Mr. Esquirol “for the position vacated by the death of the physician at Charenton”… [Jean-Étienne Esquirol (1772–1840) would succeed Pinel at the Salpêtrière in 1810, and in 1825 would succeed Royer-Collard as chief physician of the Royal House of Charenton, now the Esquirol Hospital.] Enclosed is an autograph letter from his son Scipion Pinel, dated April 26, 1833, to Dr. Breschet, announcing that he will be giving “a course on mental illnesses at the hospice for advanced training” (1 p., in-4); plus a political pamphlet by Pinel’s nephew, addressed “To the Citizens of the Department of Tarn,” dated April 1, 1848.