An Interactive Annotated World Bibliography of Printed and Digital Works in the History of Medicine and the Life Sciences from Circa 2000 BCE to 2022 by Fielding H. Garrison (1870-1935), Leslie T. Morton (1907-2004), and Jeremy M. Norman (1945- ) Traditionally Known as “Garrison-Morton”

15961 entries, 13944 authors and 1935 subjects. Updated: March 22, 2024

SHORT, Thomas

6 entries
  • 7061

A discourse concerning the causes and effects of corpulency, together with the method for its prevention and cure.

London: for J. Roberts, 1727.

The first book on obesity in English.



Subjects: Obesity Research
  • 13626

A dissertation upon tea, explaining its nature and properties by many new experiments; and demonstrating from philosophical principles, the various effects it has on different constitutions. To which is added the natural history of tea; and a detection of the several frauds used in preparing it. Also a discourse on the virtues of sage and water, and an enquiry into the reasons why the same food is not equally agreeable to all constitutions....

London: Fletcher Gyles, 1730.

Digital facsimile from wellcomecollection.org at this link.



Subjects: NUTRITION / DIET, PHARMACOLOGY › PHARMACEUTICALS › Botanic Sources of Single Component Drugs › Tea
  • 8869

Medicina Britannica; or, a treatise on such physical plants as are generally to be found in the fields or gardens of Great-Britain: Containing a particular account of their nature, virtues, and uses. Together with the observations of the most learned physicians, as well ancient as modern, communicated to the late ingenious Mr. Ray, and the learned Dr. Sim. Pauli. Adapted more especially to the occasions of those, whose condition or situation of life deprives them, in a great measure, of the helps of the learned. To which are added, three indexes: The first containing the England and Latin names of the plants treated of: The second of the diseases, and their remedies: The third to the notes.

London: R. Manby, 1746.

Short focused his book on the medical uses of plants readily available in England. Many of the plants recommended in the traditional herbal literature were difficult to find in England. Digital facsimile from the Biodiversity Heritage Library at this link.



Subjects: BOTANY › Ethnobotany, Household or Self-Help Medicine, PHARMACOLOGY › PHARMACEUTICALS › Materia medica / Herbals / Herbal Medicines
  • 13625

A general chronological history of the air, weather, seasons, meteors, &c. In sundry places and different times; more particularly for the space of 250 years. Together with some of their most remarkable effects on animal (especially human) bodies and vegetables. 2 vols.

London: T. Longman & A. Millar, 1749.

Digital facsimile from Google Books at this link.



Subjects: Bioclimatology
  • 1692

New observations, natural, moral, civil, political, and medical, on city, town, and country bills of mortality.

London: T. Longman & A. Millar, 1750.

Original and suggestive work on vital statistics, showing vividly the changing conditions of life as he saw it (Greenwood).



Subjects: DEMOGRAPHY / Population: Medical Statistics
  • 13557

A comparative history of the increase and decrease of mankind in England, and several countries abroad, according to the different soils, situations, business of life, use of the non-naturals, &c. faithfully collected from, and attested by, above three hundred vouchers, and many of them for a long course of years, in two different Periods. To which is added a syllabus of the general States of health, air, seasons, and food for the last three hundred years; and also a meteorological discourse.

London: W. Nicoll and C. Etherington, 1767.

Digital facsimile from Google Books at this link.



Subjects: DEATH & DYING › Mortality Statistics, DEMOGRAPHY / Population: Medical Statistics