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Notes from the John Martin Rare Book Room

The Well-Equipped Surgeon’s Chest — Don’t Leave Home Without It  Woodall, John (1570–1643). The Surgeons mate or military & domestique surgery. 2nd edition, London, 1639. The John Martin Rare Book Room recently acquired a 1639 copy of John Woodall’s, The Surgeon’s Mate, the second and greatly expanded version of the work first published in 1617.Continue reading “Notes from the John Martin Rare Book Room”

New Director for Hardin Library Appointed

Linda Walton has accepted an offer to become the next Associate University Librarian and Director of the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences effective August 31. Linda comes to the University of Iowa Libraries from the Galter Health Sciences Library at Northwestern University where she has been the Associate Director. “She has solid experience inContinue reading “New Director for Hardin Library Appointed”

Notes from the John Martin Rare Book Room

An Anatomical Work of Uncommon Beauty Bourgery, Marc Jean (1797-1849). Traité complet de l’anatomie de l’homme, comprenant la médecine opératoire. 8 vols. Paris, 1831-1854. Paule Dumaitre in his Histoire de la médecine et du livre medical (Paris, 1978) commented that Bourgery’s work is considered today without question the most beautiful French work of anatomy publishedContinue reading “Notes from the John Martin Rare Book Room”

Notes from the John Martin Rare Book Room

Heirs of Hippocrates Now Online We are pleased to announce that the book catalog, “Heirs of Hippocrates” last published in 1990 (3rd edition), is now available as an online database and offered to the public on the internet at no charge. “Heirs” is an annotated bibliography of the historic books in the John Martin RareContinue reading “Notes from the John Martin Rare Book Room”

Notes from the John Martin Rare Book Room

Extreme Makeovers From The Sixteenth Century Tagliacozzi, Gaspare (1545-1599). De curtorum chirurgia per insitionem, libri due. Venice, 1597. Although Tagliacozzi was not the first plastic surgeon (it had been practiced in India centuries earlier) he is usually credited as the first modern practitioner of the art. Loss of facial parts from dueling, street fights, andContinue reading “Notes from the John Martin Rare Book Room”

History Through Deaf Eyes Exhibit Opens at Hardin

NOTE: “History Through Deaf Eyes” will continue through Thursday, February 23rd . Well over one hundred attendees showed up Friday afternoon, November 4 for the official opening of the exhibit, “History Through Deaf Eyes” now on display at the Hardin Library. The touring exhibit, developed by Gallaudet University and sponsored by numerous funding agencies wasContinue reading “History Through Deaf Eyes Exhibit Opens at Hardin”

Notes from the John Martin Rare Book Room

Judging By Appearances Porta, Giovanni Battista Della (1535?-1615). De humana physiognomonia libri III. , Naples, 1586. The practice of attempting to discern personality traits from physical appearance goes back to antiquity. In fact, it was Aristotle who coined the term, “physiognomy” to support his own writings and inclinations on the subject. Since that time andContinue reading “Notes from the John Martin Rare Book Room”

Notes from the John Martin Rare Book Room

A Withering Glance at Foxglove Withering, William (1741-1799). An Account of the foxglove, and some of its medical uses, Birmingham, 1785. William Withering was a keen observer of plants and their medicinal uses and had already published a widely respected and comprehensive treatise on “Botanical Arrangement of all the vegetables” when this, his most famousContinue reading “Notes from the John Martin Rare Book Room”

Notes from the John Martin Rare Book Room

The Gravid Uterus William Hunter (1718-1783). Anatomia uteri humani gravidi tabulis illustrate. . . the anatomy of the human gravid uterus exhibited in figures. John Baskerville, Birmingham, 1774. William Hunter, born in Scotland, was a London physician and obstetrician whose principal interest was in anatomy. Upon becoming professor of anatomy of the Society of NavyContinue reading “Notes from the John Martin Rare Book Room”

Hardin Library 30th Anniversary Open House

The Hardin Library celebrated its 30th anniversary on October 6, 2004 with speakers, a video, music and refreshments. Over eighty people heard President Skorton make remarks about Dr. Hardin and the Hardin Library professionals. A video entitled “Reflections on Hardin Library 1974-2004” was also featured. President Skorton’s remarks, photographs, and the video are still availableContinue reading “Hardin Library 30th Anniversary Open House”