1873. 8vo, pp. 32; with a blank temperature chart loosely inserted; with printer’s device on title-page; somewhat browned and foxed throughout due to paper quality, gutters exposed in a couple of places, notably between pp. 4-5, lower gutter chipped with some loss, corners a little furled; in the original printed wrappers, spine with old tape repair, though with loss at tail, upper lower corner repaired with tape, covers quite foxed and soiled with two ring marks on upper cover, two labels along spine, and accession number? in blue crayon on upper cover; a little fragile, but sound. An unusual and scarce insight into the attempted regulation of medical fees in Turin at the end of the nineteenth century. A suggested tariff for the services of physicians, surgeons, phlebotomists, midwives and veterinarians was first compiled by the Consiglio Superiore di Sanità in 1852. The preface notes, however, that in the intervening period the prices of most necessary things have more than doubled, in line with an increased general prosperity throughout all walks and classes of society. It is therefore deemed fair and necessary that professional medical fees should also increase, and thus the present guide has been issued. In no way a legal document, the tariff is merely a guideline, showing an average of what one might expect to pay. An extensive list of common medical consultations and procedures then follows.
Also of interest is the Obstetrical Calendar that is included from pp. 24 onwards. Compiled by Professor Domenico of the Turin Obstetrical Clinic, the year long calendar gives two columns for each month showing the date of last menstruation and corresponding expected date of delivery. Loosely inserted is also a blank temperature chart to be filled in.