Nixon Notes: Viewing Vesalius
This month Dr. Laura Johnson, faculty in the Cell Systems and Anatomy department, visited the P.I. Nixon Library with students. This group consisted of 4th year School of Medicine students, teaching assistants in the gross anatomy course for 1st year medical students.
On their tour they viewed the library's copy of Vesalius's De humani corporis fabrica libri septem ("The Seven Books on the Structure of the Human Body"). This seminal historical medical text was originally printed in 1543 and contains 700 pages of detailed anatomical Latin text along with 270 intricate woodcut illustrations. The Fabrica's stunning content represents a major step forward in the development of modern human anatomy and dissection.
A unique feature found in the first edition text held in the P.I Nixon Medical Historical Library is a handwritten annotation indicating permission from the Church for certain people to view the book.
If you'd like to view our copy of this book reach out to Diane Fotinos, University Archivist, to schedule a visit.
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