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Friday, February 23, 1990 / University Daily Kansan
Library's unique resources recall a history in medicine
By Steve Bailey
Kansan staff writer
Most people go to a library to check out a book. At the Clendening, History of Medicine Library, people go to check out the past.
The library is a museum-like collection of rare books, historic documents, art works and medical artifacts stored in the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Susan Case,
rare books
librarian, said
the library originated from
the personal collection of
Logan Clendening,
a well-known physician who graduated from
Case said the library had been acquiring medical-related works and antiques since its inception.
"The collection is one of the finest of its kind in the United States," Case said. "There are only about eight history of medicine libraries in the country. It is not just a treasure for the University or the state of Kansas. It is a national treasure."
'Anything we have we make available one way or another. Basically, it is a working library. The material is here for research as well as entertainment.'
taught at the Med Center in the first half of this century.
— Susan Case rare books librarian
Clendening started collecting rare books and first editions of important medical works in the 1920s. He also obtained many antique medical instruments. The collection was bequeathed to the Kansas University Endowment Association in 1945 to establish the department of history and philosophy of medicine and the library.
some of the rare objects in the collection include a 2,000-year-old set of surgical tools, bleeding dishes, a wooden birthing chair from the early 1700s, an amputation saw used by a doctor in 1803 and an original letter dated Oct. 22, 1776, in which John Hancock requested surgeons for the Navy.
some of the rare medical works in the collection include a first edition copy of "Darwin's Origins
"There is a sense of awe and amazement when you can actually touch something that is 2,000 years old." Case said.
of Species," published in 1858, a first edition of the first printed encyclopedia, published in 1483, and a collection of Florence Nightingale's original letters.
One rare piece included in the collection is the famous heavy-paper, first edition copy of William Harvey's "De Motu cordis," which describes the circulation of blood. It was published in 1628, and about five copies are in existence, Case said. It is the rarest and most expensive of all medical classics. A copy sold for more than $250,000 in the late 1970s.
She said it was difficult to estimate the value of the library because of the number of priceless items. The collection will not be put up for sale, so a total value for the collection is not necessary.
Case said the collection was well protected from both the elements and theft. However, the works are available for use.
"Anything we have, we make available one way or another," she said. "Basically it is a working library. The material is here for research as well as for entertain-
The library acquires new works through different means. Case said she searched through catalogs from rare book dealers worldwide to find appropriate additions. New purchases are financed by donations and some money from
Among the valuable artifacts in the collection is the book, "De Motu Cords," lower right corner,
ment." the Endowment Association, of more than 13,000 copies.
"Sometimes I get calls from places around the world who know of us and what we collect," she said.
Other pieces are donated by those with rare collections of their own. An example is the acquisition
of more than 1,000 rare books,
manuscripts and letters donated in
1970 by Thor Jager, a Wichita
doctor.
"A collection of this sort can only become possible through the tremendous generosity of others
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