The WVU Health Sciences Library is committed to the study of the history of medicine and health sciences. While health sciences professions rely on current research and training, considering a historical perspective enables greater analysis of health issues and trends.
The History of Medicine Book Collection, currently located on level one of the library stacks, contains histories of health sciences disciplines, diseases and treatments, biographies of medical pioneers, as well as early textbooks and research publications. The Health Sciences Library also subsribes to history of medicine journals and databases to supplement our book collection.
The pages in this guide are designed to lead you to the best sources for history of medicine information. Find information about books and journals here at WVU as well as links to images, manuscripts and artifact collections available on the web.
We invite you to use the collection, suggest titles that could be added, and to ask questions!
From DNA to Beer: Harnessing Nature in Medicine and Industry
August 4 - September 13, 2014
From DNA to Beer: Harnessing Nature in Medicine and Industry explores some of the processes, problems, and potential inherent in technologies that use microorganisms for health and commercial purposes. Over the past two centuries, scientists, in partnership with industry, have developed techniques using and modifying life forms like yeast, molds, and bacteria, to create a host of new therapies and produce better foods and beverages. The exhibition illustrates the history of this dynamic relationship among microbes, medicine, technology, and industry, which has spanned centuries.
Access and view rare medical books and manuscripts from the National Library of Medicine collection using Turning the Pages Online.
Turning the Pages Online is also available as an app for iPad.