THE RELATION OF MAN TO THE ANIMAL WORLD

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original green cloth with titles in white to the upper board. A very good copy, the binding firm with a little rubbing to the boards and minor wear to the corners. The slightly shaken contents with some spotting to the preliminary pages are otherwise clean throughout and free from any previous owners' inscriptions or stamps.

An unusual work by this prominent Victorian physician outlining the various abuses of animals at the hands of man, including killing animals for food and clothing, the use of eggs and milk, blood-sports, vivisection and petkeeping, as well as offering a consideration of the idea of "animals' souls". Demonstrating a clear unease regarding the exploitation of animals in modern society, but also an unwillingness to embrace full-throttled reform, Wilks remains somewhat pained and noncommittal throughout, a standpoint likely representative of many during the period, and providing an interesting window into the contemporary battle between modern ethics and long-standing custom. An uncommon title.