[Johann Gaspar Spurzheim, German physician and celebrated phrenologist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Spurzheim.'), in English, to an unnamed woman, regarding his treatment, 'as friend and not a practioner', of 'our little patient'.

1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to the blank reverse. Refusing payment for his services, Spurzheim writes: 'Sat. Mg. | Dear Madam | We had agreed that I would give You my opinion as medical Man with the greatest pleasure as friend and not a practioner. I therefore take the liberty of returning the encolsed. I shall pass by to see our little patient on my way to Woodcroft. | I am, with best respects, | Dear Madame | Yours truly | Spurzheim.' 'Woodcroft' may be Woodcroft House in Northamptonshire, for which see Gentleman's Magazine, April 1813, or the village in Greenford. In either case the connection with Spurzheim is unclear, although he did visit Britain on several occasions. From the distinguished autograph collection of Richard Hunter, son of Ida Macalpine, whose collection of 7000 books relating to psychiatry is in Cambridge University Library. Macalpine and Hunter had a particular interest in the illness of King George III, and their book 'George III and the Mad Business' (1969) suggested the diagnosis of porphyria popularised by Alan Bennett in his play 'The Madness of George III'. A scarce autograph.