Abridged Version of “De arte phisicali de cirurgia”, “Fistula in ano”, Including an Obstetrical Treatise
Description
Manuscript X 188 in the National Library of Sweden dates to around 1425–35 and contains two works by John Arderne (active 1307–70), an abridged version of De arte phisicali et de cirurgia (Of the physical arts and surgery) and Fistula in ano. Also included is a tract on obstetrics by another author, Muscio. De arte phisicali et de cirurgia is a textbook on medicine and surgery; Fistula in ano deals with rectal disorders. The manuscript is written in two long columns on a parchment roll that is 542 centimeters long by 36 centimeters wide and illustrated with a number of small and larger images. The small images, in the margins, portray people afflicted with various ailments. The standing figures between the columns illustrate the different systems of the human body. There is also an image of a woman in childbirth as well as 15 drawings of the fetus. On the back of the roll is an image of an operation on the digestive tract. Also visible are four anatomical figures depicted from the back in cut-away views. The images of surgical tools used for operations are found on both sides of the roll. The Stockholm roll possibly was commissioned by Phillippa, the English princess who, in 1406, married the Swedish king Eric of Pomerania. John Arderne was her grandfather’s physician.
Date Created
Subject Date
Language
Title in Original Language
De arte phisicali et de cirurgia ; Fistula in ano; Obstetrical treatise
Topic
Additional Subjects
Type of Item
Physical Description
Roll of 12 pieces of parchment ; 542.5 x 36 centimeters
Notes
- Shelfmark: X 118
Institution
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Last updated: August 28, 2015