Description: A paper in Locke’s hand with the title “A dysentry”. The manuscript is a sheet of paper folded once to form 2 leaves, 310 × 195 mm; the second leaf (f. 20) is blank. The end of the paper refers to “the writing hereof viz the beginning of the year 1670”.

The author of the paper is Dr. Thomas Sydenham, who published a work on fevers in 1666 – Methodus curandi febres – and a revised and expanded edition in 1676 – Observationes medicae. These notes (and others on related topics) may have been intended for a revision of that work. Dewhurst argues that Sydenham shared his drafts with Locke for comment and for rendering into Latin.

Publications:

“Sydenham on ‘A dysentry’ ” / Kenneth Dewhurst. // IN: Bulletin of the history of medicine. – 29 (1955):395-398.
Dr. Thomas Sydenham (1624-1689), his life and original writings / Kenneth Dewhurst. – London : Wellcome Historical Medical Library, 1966. – p. 123-125.

“Variola” (1670 February 14)

Location: Bodleian Library, MS. Locke c. 29, f. 22.

Description: A paper in Locke’s hand with the title “Variola” and ending “Written 14^o Feb. 69/70”. The manuscript is a single sheet of paper; the verso is blank except for the endorsement “Variola”. The author of the paper is probably Dr. Sydenham. These notes may have been drafted as part of the revision of Methodus curandi febres and shared with Locke for his comments.

Publications:

“Sydenham on smallpox” / Kenneth Dewhurst. // IN: British medical journal. – 1955:v. 2:432-433.

Adversaria [ca. 1670?]

Location: Adversaria 1661, ff. 1-2.

Description: An untitled outline in Locke’s hand of a classification of knowledge, possibly for use in commonplacing or note-taking (“adversaria”). There are many similar tables in the manuscripts; Goldie calls this one “Adversaria A” to distinguish it from others. Di Biase refers to this as “Scheme 1”. The outline probably dates from around 1670.

The main branches of the outline are Theologia, Politica, Prudentia and Physica sive Corporum scientia.

Publications:

[English translation:] Two tracts on government / John Locke ; edited … by Philip Abrams. – Cambridge : University Press, 1967. – p. 245-246. [Locke #950]
[English translation of part:] Political essays / Locke ; edited by Mark Goldie. – Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 1997. – p. 215. [Locke #867+]. – 148920014G An English translation of the sections on Theology, Polity, and Prudence; the second part, “Physica sive Corporum Scientia” not included; Locke’s tabular arrangement is not preserved;.
“The development of the concept of prudentia in Locke’s classification of knowledge” / Giuliana Di Biase. // IN: Societate şi politică = Society and politics. – 7:no. 2 (2013):88-89. – Includes the sections on Theologia (f. 1^r), Politia (f. 1^v, and Prudentia (f. 2^r); the section on Physica sive Corporum Scientia (f 2^v) is not included; preserves Locke’s tabular arrangement.
“Theologia, ethics, and natural law in Locke’s classifications of knowledge and Adversaria” / Giuliana Di Biase. // IN: Locke studies. – 14 (2014):226-227. – Includes the sections on Theologia (f. 1^r, Politia (f. 1^v, and Prudentia (ff. 2^r); the section on Physica sive Corporum Scientia (f. 2^v) is not included; preserves Locke’s tabular arrangement.
“Physica in John Locke’s Adversaria and classifications of the branches of knowledge” / Giuliana Di Biase. // IN: Locke studies. – 16 (2016):155. – Includes the section on Physica sive Corporum Scientia (f. 2^v); preserves Locke’s tabular arrangement.

Discussions: Goldie, publication #1 above; Di Biase, publication #3, pages 88-91; Di Biase, publication #4, pages 182-191; Di Biase, publication #5, pages 82-102.

“Smallpox Preface 70” (1670)

Location: Public Record Office, London, PRO 30/24/47/2, f. 57.

Description: Some notes in Locke’s hand, on a scrap of paper (somewhat damaged in one corner, endorsed “Small pox Preface 70” in one corner and “Medicina | Res Medicae et Chymicae | Preface to Dr. Syd” in another.

Publications:

“Locke and Sydenham, a fragment on smallpox (1670)” / Patrick Romanell. // IN: Bulletin of the history of medicine. – 32 (1958):295. – Includes a photographic reproduction of the manuscript (p. 294).
John Locke and medicine : a new key to Locke / by Patrick Romanell. – Buffalo, N.Y. : Prometheus Books, 1984. – p. 70. – Includes a photogrpahic reproduction of the manuscript (p. 70).

Epistle dedicatory and Preface to Sydenham’s treatise on smallpox [1670?]

Location: Public Record Office, London, PRO 30/24/47/2, ff. 60-69.

Description: A dedicatory epistle in Locke’s hand, apparently to Lord Ashley (ff. 60-63), and an incomplete preface (ff. 64-69). The former is headed “Ep[istle]” and the latter “Praef[ace]”. They seem to have been intended for a treatise on smallpox by Dr. Thomas Sydenham, a draft of which exists in MS. Locke c. 21. The authorship of the Epistle and Preface is uncertain.

The manuscript consists of five sheets of paper, each folded once to form a total of 20 pages. The text of the Epistle is written on the recto pages only; f. 63 is blank; 230 × 172 mm. The text of the Preface is written on both sides of each leaf; 221 × 164 mm.

Publications:

“Sydenham’s original treatise on smallpox with a preface, and dedication to the Earl of Shaftesbury, by John Locke” / by Kenneth Dewhurst. // IN: Medical history. – 3 (1959):284-290.
Dr. Thomas Sydenham (1624-1689), his life and original writings / Kenneth Dewhurst. – London : Wellcome Historical Medical Library, 1966. – p. 101-109.
The correspondence of John Locke. Volume IX, Supplement / edited by Mark Goldie. – Oxford : Clarendon Press, in preparation. – [LL 239A].

Pactum [c. 1670-73]

Location: Adversaria 1661, p. 16.

Description: An undated note with the marginal caption “Pactum”, written and initialed by Locke.

Publications:

An essay concerning toleration and other writings on law and politics, 1667-1683 / John Locke ; edited with an introduction, critical apparatus, notes and transcription of ancillary manuscripts by J.R. Milton and Philip Milton. – Oxford : Clarendon Press, 2006. – (The Clarendon edition of the works of John Locke). – p. 385.

Discussions: Milton & Milton, Introduction to publication #1 above, p. 137-140, 235.

Auri Tinctura [ca. 1670]

Location: Bodleian Library, MS. Locke d. 9, p. 16.

Description: A note in Locke’s hand, with the marginal caption “Auri Tinctura”, and signed by “JLocke”. The note is undated, but follows notes on books published in 1670.

Publications: None

Scabies Q [ca. 1670]

Location: Bodleian Library, MS. Locke d. 9, p. 31.

Description: Queries in Locke’s hand, with the marginal caption “Scabies Q”, and initialed by Locke. The note is undated, but probably dates from around 1670.

Publications: None

Fluor albus [ca. 1670]

Location: Bodleian Library, MS. Locke d. 9, p. 42.

Description: A note in Locke’s hand, with the marginal caption “Fluor albus”, and initialed by Locke. The note is undated, but was probably written ca. 1670.

Publications: None

Viperae morsus Q [ca. 1670]

Location: Bodleian Library, MS. Locke d. 9, p. 65.

Description: Queries in Locke’s hand, with the marginal caption “Viperae morsus Q”, and initialed by Locke. The note is undated, but probably dates from around 1670.

Publications: None

Pediculi [ca. 1670]

Location: Bodleian Library, MS. Locke d. 9, p. 140.

Description: A note in Locke’s hand, with the marginal caption “Pediculi”, and intialed by Locke. The note is undated, but possibly written ca. 1670.

Publications: None

Pediculi inquinales [ca. 1670]

Location: Bodleian Library, MS. Locke d. 9, p. 140.

Description: A note in Locke’s hand, with the marginal caption “Pediculi inquinales”, and intialed by Locke. The note is undated, but was probably written ca. 1670.

Publications: None

Contents

Name Index

Title Index


John Locke Manuscripts
John Locke Bibliography	John Locke Chronology	John Locke Resources