The Influence of the Blue Ray of the Sunlight and of the Blue Colour of the Sky, in Developing Animal and Vegetable Life: In Arresting Disease, and in Restoring Health in Acute and Chronic Disorders to Human and Domestic Animals

This is a scarce first edition copy of "The Influence of the Blue Ray of the Sunlight and of the Blue Colour of the Sky, in Developing Animal and Vegetable Life: In Arresting Disease, and in Restoring Health in Acute and Chronic Disorders to Human and Domestic Animals" by Gen. A.J. Pleasonton and others. 1876 1st edition; Claxton, Remsen & Haffelfinger; Philadelphia. The text is blue in color throughout the book. There is a frontispiece illustration of "Pleasanton's Grapery" showing the "arrangement of the Blue and Transparent Glasses" and one in-text illustration. In addition to his scientific exploits, Pleasonton was also Brigadier General of the Pennsylvania military in 1861 during the Civil War. The book is considered to be the first major work in contemporary chromotherapy.

From a review: "Though not trained as a scientist, Pleasonton developed a theory that the blue wavelengths from the sun are inherently unique and that they were especially influential in the growth of plant and animal life. He also postulated that blue light was significant in the health of humans and helped eradicate disease. He based his theory on the fact that plants flourished in the spring time and not in the winter, when the sky was less blue. Between the years 1861 and 1876, he tested this theory by growing grapes in a greenhouse-like building where he alternated direct sunlight with filtered blue light, using cobalt glass. He claimed that this method greatly increased his production of grapes. He then moved on to studies of the growth of animals, for example pigs and cows, raised under blue light and claimed that they grew bigger. This led to a 'blue glass craze' with farmers and growers installing panels of blue glass. Unsurprisingly perhaps, the claims about benefits of blue light also extended to treating human diseases as well. People gave enthusiastic reports about how sitting under blue glass cured diseases."

Condition:
The blue cloth has faded along the perimeter of the boards, and along the spine. There are a few small stains on the covers. Tiny cloth tear at the bottom-right corner of the front cover. There is a pea-sized cloth piece missing over the title on the spine. Small cloth tears at the top edge of the spine. Presumed personal library label affixed to the bottom of the spine (there are no other library markings). Tight binding with no loose pages. There are minor cracks between pages 6/7 at the front, and 176/177 at the back resulting in the covers being just a bit shaky. The text pages are lightly age-toned with an occasional small foxing spot here and there. The front end paper, frontispiece and title page each have a stain at the bottom edge. The front end paper has a piece missing at the lower-outer corner, and a horizontal tear across the page at the top half. Overall the book is in Good- condition.