Fasciculus medicinae

Fasciculus medicinae

Incunabula

Woodcuts (prints)

Ketham, Joannes de, active 15th century

Zodiac symbols

Anatomy

Although notable as one of the first incunables acquired by the Boston Medical Library, this first edition of the Fasciculus medicinae is also a cornerstone in the history of medicine, as it contains the first detailed anatomical illustrations ever printed. There are six woodcuts in the Fasciculus: a circle of urine glasses; a diagram of the veins for phlebotomy; a pregnant woman; a chart of wounds and one of disesases; and a second phlebotomy diagram which associates the parts of the body with the signs of the Zodiac.

Woodcut print of a phlebotomy diagram associating parts of the body with the signs of the Zodiac, from Fasciculus medicinae (Venice, 26 July 1491)

Ketham, Joannes de, active 15th century

Johannes et Gregorius de Gregoriis

1491 July 26

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Boston Medical Library Rare Books Collection (Ballard 408)

image

1 woodcut print

Latin

still image

DigID0002508

Gift of Dr. John Homans to the Boston Medical Library, 1893