ISS: Information Services and Systems

Case 5 - Medicine

Exhibition curator: Shelley de Kock

Title page of: Bernardino Ramazzini. A treatise of the diseases of tradesmen ... London: Andrew Bell, 1705, which has been inscribed by Thomas Rymer Jones (1810-1880), first Professor of Comparative Anatomy at King's College Hospital. KCSMD Historical Collection RC 964 RAM

Bernardino Ramazzini. A treatise of the diseases of tradesmen ... London: Andrew Bell, 1705. KCSMD Historical Collection RC 964 RAM .

Ramazzini (1633-1714) is considered to the founder of occupational medicine and was one of the most celebrated medical scientists in Europe of his time. This work, first written in Latin in 1700, is the first comprehensive work on occupational health. In the text, Ramazzini outlines the hazards of chemicals, dust, metals and other abrasive agents encountered by workers in some 52 occupations. He explores the occupational dangers of potters, masons, farmers, nurses, solders and even the overtaxed mind of the "learned man". Ramazzini led the way for protective measures in the workplace and in 1982, in recognition of his contribution, an international organisation, Collegium Ramazzini, for the study of occupational and environmental health issues was named after him.

This work is inscribed by Thomas Rymer Jones (1810-1880), first Professor of Comparative Anatomy at King's College Hospital.

Depiction of a spa from: Diederick Wessel Linden. A treatise on the origin, nature, and virtue of chalybeat waters, and natural hot-baths ... 2nd ed. London: Daniel Browne, 1755. KCSMD Historical Collection RA 845 LIN

Diederick Wessel Linden. A treatise on the origin, nature, and virtue of chalybeat waters, and natural hot-baths ... 2nd ed. London: Daniel Browne, 1755. KCSMD Historical Collection RA845 LIN

This book sets out to describe the therapeutics of different hot springs and chalybeate waters in England and Germany. The principal mineral in chalybeate waters is iron. The work, unusually, also includes poems sent to Linden by well-wishers on the publication of his work as well as advertisements of various bottled mineral waters for sale.

'Monsters' from: Fortunio Liceti. De monstris ... Amsterdam: Andreas Frisius, 1665. KCSMD QM690.LIC

Fortunio Liceti. De monstris ... Amsterdam: Andreas Frisius, 1665. KCSMD QM690.LIC

Fortunio Liceti (1577-1657) graduated from the University of Bologna in 1600 with a double doctorate in philosophy and medicine. He accepted a chair in logic and physics at the University of Pisa where he developed a reputation as an expert on Aristotle. Liceti is best remembered for his controversial works on genetic anomalies, hieroglyphics and astronomical debates.In this work, Liceti celebrates "monstrosity" by depicting persons with genetic anomalies as creatures of rarity and reverence and not as examples of God's divine wrath.

Title page of : Herman Boerhaave. Boerhaave's Aphorisms, concerning the knowledge and cure of diseases. London: William and John Innys, 1724. KCSMD R128.7BOE

Herman Boerhaave. Boerhaave's Aphorisms, concerning the knowledge and cure of diseases. London: William and John Innys, 1724. KCSMD R128.7BOE

Herman Boerhaave (1668-1738) is considered to be one of the most influential clinicians and teachers of the eighteenth century. He first studied Philosophy, Mathematics and Theology at the University of Leiden before turning to medicine. Boerhaave's own unhappy experiences with doctors led him to revive the Hippocratic method of bedside instruction and his ambition while a medical student was to be a doctor of both body and mind. He rarely attended lectures and, instead, took it upon himself systematically to read through every work on medicine available to him. In 1701, he was appointed lecturer in Theoretical Medicine at the University of Leiden where his fame as a teacher spread throughout all Europe and as far as China and the United States. He did not limit himself to Theoretical Medicine and, in the privacy of his home, lectured on Botany, Chemistry and Practical Medicine. This led to him being appointed Professor of Medicine and Botany in 1709 and in 1718 he became Professor of Chemistry.

Boerhaave was one of the first to make use of post-mortem examinations to find the cause of fatal illnesses. He reformed the treatment of patients by putting the care of patients above that of theoretical considerations and he made significant contributions to chemistry by introducing exact and quantitative methods of measuring temperature.

An hospitall for the diseased [manuscript] ... / gathered by T. C. [1609]. KCSMD R128.6HOS

An hospitall for the diseased [manuscript] ... / gathered by T. C. [1609].
KCSMD R128.6HOS

This manuscript is a copy of a rare medical treatise purported to be written by Thomas Cartwright (1535-1603), who is considered to be one of the first major English Presbytarians. This particular manuscript was a working document and contains additional medical notes, observations and treatises from the original. It is largely made up of medical formularies, prescriptions and advice. From the use of language,it can be concluded that this is a copy of the 1598 edition of which only one known complete copy remains. Dates appearing towards the end of the document indicate that the manuscript was created in approximately 1609. This item shows how a doctor or medical practitioner, in the sixteenth and early seventeenth century, would have practised medicine.

This book has recently received conservation treatment from funding generously donated by Dr and Mrs Herzberg. The original binding structure of the book has been retained in the conservation work.

• Exhibition Home
• Case 1: History of King's College Hospital
• Case 2: Ancient Greek and Roman Medicine
• Case 3: The Anatomists
• Case 4: Surgery