Henri De Mondeville (ca 1260- ca 1320). Chirurgie. Paris: Felix Alcan, 1892.

Mondeville was born in Normandy and studied medicine in Paris and Montpellier before going to Bologna.  Italian surgeons were at a much higher status than in France at this time.

Mondeville’s chief work, the Cyrurgia, was written between 1306-1320 and contains his basic teachings.  This encyclopedia includes Mondeville’s views and practices of medical ethics, anatomy, surgery, physiology, and therapeutics.

Mondeville advocated cleanliness in treating wounds and was opposed to the use of salves.  He believed suppuration hindered wound healing and routinely used ligation instead of cautery.

The Cyrurgia was not published until 1892, when Pagel, after studying manuscripts in Berlin, Erfurt, and Paris, published the original Latin text.

You may view this book in the John Martin Rare Book Room, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences.  Make a gift to the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences by donating online or setting up a recurring gift with The University of Iowa Foundation.