The transcription, which has gaps, some of them filled with a hand very like that of the translator, is written in a large 19C hand on a quire of four bifolia (235 × 195mm). F. 5 blank reflecting the presence here in the original of two prescriptions; the translation on a bifolium and single sheet (335 × 210mm) of blue Chartham Mills paper.
Thomas Sydenham, 10 September 1624 (bapt.) to 29 December 1689, the celebrated physician, of Magdalen Hall and All Souls (and perhaps Wadham), Oxford, was an ardent parliamentarian for most of his life. His 'Observationes' were hugely influential.
For a full acount see G. G. Meynell, Materials for a biography of Dr Thomas Sydenham (1988) and Harold J. Cook in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'.
M.19.9, in which these MSS were found is a volume with some interesting manuscript additions including a manuscript draft of the dedication to Mapletoft, plausibly in Sydenham's or a contemporary's hand. It is this draft that has been transcribed and then translated. The transcriber, but not the translator, is very probably Arthur R. Graham, whose book plate and lengthy inscription detailing the volume's descent appears therein. (‘This book was given by Robert P. Hiller to [blank] Jenkins, Esq. by whose son The Rev. George Jenkins M.A. it was presented on June 13t 1869 to Arthur R. Graham MA, MC, MD, of Holmwood, Weybridge, Surrey.’) Hillyer’s signature dated 1818, or perhaps 1810, appears on the title-page as does an earlier signature of J.? Turton (perhaps the John Turton, (d. 1756) who was a Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford from 1709 to 1728). The translation by someone who identifies themself as ‘Schol’ is dated 31 December 1869.
Also in M.19.9, between pages 192 and 193, is an inserted slip with a manuscript Latin ode to Sydenham in 17 alcaic stanzas by (Sir) Edward Hannes (1663/4-1710), physician and poet, given as ‘Ex Aed. Cti Oxon’ and so datable to before 1699 when Hannes left Oxford.
[Graham, Arthur Robert. Admitted pensioner at Peterhouse, Apr. 19, 1856. Son of John (1820), R. of Cosgrove, Stony Stratford. Matriculated Michaelmas 1856; Scholar, 1858; B.A. 1860; M.A. 1863; M.Chir. and M.B. 1864. Adm. Com[itatis] Causa at Oxford, 1867. At St Bartholomew's Hospital. House Surgeon, Lambeth Hospital. Resident Medical Officer, City of London Hospital for Chest Diseases. Of Kingsdon, Taunton, in 1909. Brother of Henry L. (1863) and Malcolm R. (1865). (T. A. Walker, 511; Al. Oxon.; Medical Directories.)]