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

ACOSTA, José de

2 entries
  • 2244

Historia natural y moral de las Indias.

Seville: Juan de Léon, 1590.

One of the earliest detailed and realistic descriptions of the New World. Acosta hypothesized that the indigenous peoples of Latin America had migrated from Asia. He also divided the native peoples into three barbarian categories, described Inca and Aztec customs and history, as well as other information such as winds and tides, lakes, rivers, plants, animals, and mineral resources in the New World. Lib. 3, chap. 9 contains his description of mountain sickness, “Acosta’s disease”, which he experienced during his crossing of the Peruvian Andes. This was the first description of altitude sickness. Digital facsimile of 1590 edition from Google Books at this link.

Translated into English as The naturall and morall historie of the East and West Indies Intreating of the remarkable things of heaven, of the elements, mettalls, plants and beasts which are proper to that country: together with the manners, ceremonies, lawes, governments, and warres of the Indians. Written in Spanish by the R.F. Ioseph Acosta, and translated into English by E.G. (London, 1604). Full text of the 1604 translation from Early English Books Online at this link.



Subjects: ANTHROPOLOGY, Altitude or Undersea Physiology & Medicine, BIOLOGY, BOTANY, COUNTRIES, CONTINENTS AND REGIONS › Peru, VOYAGES & Travels by Physicians, Surgeons & Scientists, ZOOLOGY
  • 8976

The natural & moral history of Indies, by Father Joseph de Acosta. Reprinted from the English translated edition of Edward Grimston, 1604. And edited, with notes and an introduction by Clements R. Markham. Vol. 1: The natural history. Vol. 2: The moral history. 2 vols.

London: Printed for the Hakluyt Society, 1880.

Digital facsimile from Google Books at this link.



Subjects: COUNTRIES, CONTINENTS AND REGIONS › Latin America, COUNTRIES, CONTINENTS AND REGIONS › Mexico, COUNTRIES, CONTINENTS AND REGIONS › Peru, NATURAL HISTORY, VOYAGES & Travels by Physicians, Surgeons & Scientists