The National Library of Medicine was first established in 1836. Part of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., it is the largest medical research library in the world, offering its services through affiliated libraries and centers to all in the health care professions and related fields.

Adapted from: NIH Publication No. 86-261
U. S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health

About the Illustrations

The works of art used to illustrate the sections of this brochure where chosen to link past to present as part of the Sesquicentennial or the National Library of Medicine. The pieces selected demonstrate not only technical aspects of medicine in history, but also allow us access to the manner in which the poeple of various periods in history preceived the medical practitioners of their time. Unless otherwise indicated, the illustrations are from the prints and photographs collection of the National Library of Medicine.