History of Medicine Collection

This is a collection of books, journals, and other print resources, and electronic resources, which deals with the history of all aspects of medical science and practice, as well as allied scientific disciplines, social sciences and humanities. It is a growing collection that currently comprises over 80 000 volumes in many languages and from countries across the globe, published after 1850 up to the present day.

With its international scope and comprehensive coverage, the collection provides a rich research resource that reflects a broad understanding of the history of medicine, and the course of medical thought and practice from the earliest times and in different social and cultural settings. Materials held in this collection facilitate historical study of all aspects of medicine, both its theory and practice, from anatomy, physiology, surgery, public health, specific diseases, etc. to medical discoveries and procedures, medical education, medical professions, services and organisations, health care and many more. They also include a vast range of biographical and autobiographical works and patient experiences of illness, as well as works on the history of science and other related subjects such as alchemy and chemistry, physics, botany, zoology and other areas of natural history, cookery, pharmacy, etc. There are also numerous works on general and social history, philosophy, religion, art and literature, bibliographies and other reference works such as encyclopaedias and dictionaries.

An alphabetical subject guide is available to assist you in browsing the collection’s open shelves.