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Electronic Historical Medical Texts

About This Collection

Special Collections and Archives houses several electronic medical works of historical significance. These resources are only accessible from within the library.

Cover of De Humani Corporis Fabrica

De Humani Corporis Fabrica by Andreas Vesalius

A groundbreaking work in anatomy, De humani corporis fabrica was published in 1543 by Andreas Vesalius. The work was remarkable for its intricate illustrations, and brought the humanism of the Renaissance to the science of anatomy, representing a number of major improvements on the work of Galen that served as the basis for much scholarship in anatomy in 16th Century Europe.

To use this item:

  1. You must be in the Special Collections Reading Room at Tompkins-McCaw Library.
  2. Take the compact disc, De Humani Corporis Fabrica (TML Spec Coll REF QM 21 .V418 1998) from the reference collection shelf in the Special Collections and Archives Reading Room. If you need assistance in locating the disc ask in the Special Collections & Archives office or at the Service Desk.
  3. Enter your eID and password to log in to the computer in the Reading Room.
  4. The collection includes 2 CDs, with four different versions of the text. The inside sleeve of the case lists the versions, along with the disc and file which holds each one. The "Examine" version on the 2nd disc is the highest resolution, and includes an English translation of the contents. Select the version you'd like to use, and insert the CD in the CD-ROM drive.
  5. A window will open displaying the contents of the CD. Double click on the folder VLSHUM_1 or VLSHUM_2 to reach the PDF files.
  6. Double click on the file you'd like to use. Adobe Reader will open and display the chosen file, with the Table of Contents and Lists of Figures in the Bookmarks pane on the left.
  7. Once you've finished working with the CD, please return it to the Special Collections & Archives office or the Service Desk for reshelving.
Cover of Exercitatio Anatomica de Motu Cordis et Sanguinis in Animalibus

Exercitatio Anatomica de Motu Cordis et Sanguinis in Animalibus by William Harvey

This famous work by English physician William Harvey, published in 1628, was a landmark in physiology. Harvey described and illustrated the workings of the circulatory system, and brought the field an articulation of complete circulation.

To use this item:

  1. You must be in the Special Collections Reading Room at Tompkins-McCaw Library.
  2. Take the compact disc, Exercitatio Anatomica de Motu Cordis et Sanguinis in Animalibus (TML Spec Coll REF QP 101 .H36 1998) from the reference collection shelf in the Special Collections and Archives Reading Room. If you need assistance in locating the disc ask in the Special Collections & Archives office or at the Service Desk.
  3. Enter your eID and password to log in to the computer in the Reading Room.
  4. Place the disk into the CD-ROM drive.
  5. A window will open displaying the contents of the CD. Double-click on the file "HOME.PDF" to get started.
  6. Once you've finished working with the CD, please return it to the Special Collections & Archives office or the Service Desk for reshelving.

The Four Seasons by the History of Medicine Collections at Duke University

Digital reproduction of four seventeenth century copperplate engravings representing the four stages or "seasons" of human life. Each engraving has paper flaps that open to reveal muscles, blood vessels, bones, and internal organs.

To use this item:

  1. You must be in the Special Collections Reading Room at Tompkins-McCaw Library.
  2. Take the compact disc, The Four Seasons (TML Spec Coll REF QM25 .O68 2000) from the reference collection shelf in the Special Collections and Archives Reading Room. If you need assistance in locating the disc ask in the Special Collections & Archives office or the Service Desk.
  3. Enter your eID and password to log in to the computer in the Reading Room.
  4. Place the disk into the CD-ROM drive. Click the "Start" button to begin.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions for viewing the plates and opening the flaps.
  6. Once you've finished working with the CD, please return it to the Special Collections & Archives office or the Service Desk for reshelving.