Observations on the Diseases incident to Seamen is a medical treatise by Sir Gilbert Blane following the American War of Independence. In 1779, Blane sailed to the Caribbean as the personal physician to Admiral Rodney. In 1780, he became physician to the West Indies fleet and saw action in several naval battles and witnessed first-hand the effects of the climate and diseases of the region on sailors in the Royal Navy. The following year, he published A Short Account of the Most Effectual Means of Preserving the Health of Seamen, particularly in the Royal Navy. This led to reform of healthcare in the Royal Navy, and the publication in 1785 of the present work, which compiled the medical accounts of the fleet and offered recommendations to treat the most common afflictions. Among his many effective suggestions was to give the men fresh fruit, particularly lemons, to ward off scurvy.

Blane saw it the duty of medical officers in the navy to do more to prevent ill health, rather than just treat those who had fallen sick, he ensured that, by giving surgeons a more prominent role on board ships, they enjoyed a better standing. Blane’s reputation brought him into contact with the Duke of Clarence, the future William IV and in 1785, he became physician-extraordinary to the Prince of Wales, later George IV. This copy of his treatise may have been presented to George following his appointment to the role.

Due to its binding, this book was one of those selected by Olwen Hedley in the 1960s as a fine example of bookbinding in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. Hedley’s ‘Additional Bookbindings’ serve as a supplement to the catalogue of fine bindings compiled in 1893 by the Royal Librarian Richard Rivington Holmes.