Neapoli, Franciscus Hieronymus Colligni, 1647. 4to (20.5 x 15.0 cm). Title page, [1]-168, [1]-48, 79-85 [recte: 49-55], [v]. Contemporary limp vellum. Title calligraphed on the spine in a very neat, old hand.

This work on diseases produced by magic is the final edition of the author’s publications on this and related subjects - in particular the properties and use of the walnut, specifically, "The Walnut of Benevento … an ancient and leafy walnut tree consecrated to the Germanic god Odin, around which a community of Lombards gathered near Benevento, beginning in the sixth century, in the territories originally inhabited by the Samnites. The celebration of pagan and religious rites, which provided for a goatskin to be hung on the walnut, gave rise to various legends that have been perpetuated over the centuries, regarding ceremonies and magical rituals officiated by witches on the occasion of the Sabbath” (Italian edition of Wikipedia). Little is known about the author. The French national biography (BNF) states: "Médecin et philosophe, actif à Naples vers 1624-1642". Thorndike states that he was a physician in Benevento, a town northeast of Naples, which explains his preoccupation with the local “holy” walnut tree. Apart from this work, Piperno also wrote De magicis affectibus horum dignotione, praenotione, curat.ne, medica, stratagemmatica, diuina, plerisque curationibus electis. & De nuce beneventana maga, auctore Pietro Piperno beneuentano protomed. ... Omnibus scientnois opera ornata nova(a precursor, published in Naples, Dominicus Roncalioli, 1634); and De nuce maga Beneventana,first published in Naples by Ioannis Dominicus Montanari (1635), and subsequently (1640, same publisher) expanded and corrected as Della superstitiosa Noce di Benevento trattato historico del sign. Pietro Piperno beneuentano, ... Con il trattato in lingua latina scritto gli anni passati dall'istesso autore intorno alla sudetta superstitiosa noce. ... In questa seconda impressione da molti errori emendata [and here ADDED]. The current edition contains new additions (see Thorndike). Pagination is erratic: it starts anew with the sixth chapter, then the Nuce addition begins on the second page 38, and there is a jump in pagination from 48 to 79; the text is consecutive. The last five, unnumbered pages contain an index to both works. Lacks endpapers. A few gatherings toned; scattered, light spotting and some marginal damp-staining. Otherwise, a very good copy. Thorndike, History of Magic & Experimental Science VIII, p. 548.