Libro del arte de las comadres o madrinas y del regimiento de las preñadas y paridas y de los niños

Libro del arte de las comadres o madrinas y del regimiento de las preñadas y paridas y de los niños – Vicent Garcia Editores – M.618.2c21d – Biblioteca de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Madrid, Spain)

Palma de Mallorca (Spain) — December 24th, 1541

A milestone of medicine, commissioned by a nobleman after several strokes of fate: one of the first scientific books on gynecology, decorated with ornate and detailed woodcuts

  1. This is one of the first books worldwide concerning gynecology and features detailed woodcuts

  2. For the first time in written history, the act of insemination inter alia was scientifically explained

  3. The work was commissioned by a wealthy Spanish nobleman after several unsuccessful pregnancies

Libro del arte de las comadres o madrinas y del regimiento de las preñadas y paridas y de los niños

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  1. Description
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Description
Libro del arte de las comadres o madrinas y del regimiento de las preñadas y paridas y de los niños

A medical treatise was printed in Mallorca on December 24th, 1541 that has hardly lost any significance today for the medical discipline of gynecology and midwifery. The Book concerning the Art of Midwifery or Godfathership and of Pregnancy and of the Handling of Small Children is one of the first treatises worldwide concerning the medical treatment of the female body. The treaty has a Christian character and deals with gynecology, midwifery, and above all, what is connected with these themes. Splendid woodcut illustrations lend the scientific text an exceptionally artistic character.

Libro del arte de las comadres o madrinas y del regimiento de las preñadas y paridas y de los niños

The complete title of the so-called Libro del arte de las comadres can be translated as the Book of the Art of Midwifery or Godfathership and of Pregnancy and of the Handling of Small Children. This is one of the first books worldwide concerning gynecology. The incredibly high worth of the historically significant historical work is not only due to its revolutionary character for medicine. The printed book contains a large format woodcut illustration, which was created by the most gifted Spanish artists of the Late Middle Ages. The document is additionally furnished with numerous elaborately patterned initials.

A Sad Occasion

According to legend, the birthing book originated from the commission of a wealthy nobleman. This nobleman of the highest rank was married with a woman of very fine stature, with whom he regularly exercised, was healthy, and led a happy and honest life. Nevertheless, his wife bore three or four dead children, in each case after 6 months of pregnancy. In order to shed light on this difficult and painful situation, the nobleman commissioned a doctor of the highest expertise to write a scientific treatise on the medical treatment of the female body. Thus arose a work that can considered to be the cornerstone of gynecology today. Midwifery and gynecology were first discussed at length here as a special medical science. The physiology of the female genital tract was clarified as well as everything else that has to do with functions or changes within or without the process of pregnancy. Also, a chapter was devoted to the healthcare of women and everything important for human reproduction. The truly unique printed work still holds a special place in the history of literature concerning the area of gynecology.

A Christian Work

The interesting work was first printed on December 24th, 1541 at Palma de Mallorca. The date of its printing, namely the birthday of the Savior Jesus Christ, was certainly not chosen coincidentally. The illustration of the masterpiece bespeaks a clearly Christian influenced character. Two impressive woodcuts show key scenes from the New Testament. The first image illustrates a meeting between the Virgin Mary and her cousin Elisabeth. The second picture portrays the scene of the Annunciation. What is special about this medical manuscript is the manner of its depiction of women and mothers, of coitus and pregnancy. For the first time in the history of literature, the act of insemination was scientifically discussed and explained, the processes inside of a woman were precisely analyzed and recorded for posterity.

Codicology

Size / Format
236 pages / 22.0 × 15.0 cm
Origin
Spain
Date
December 24th, 1541
Language
Script
Gothic script
Illustrations
Title page and two other internal title pages. More woodcuts and engraved initials in the text
Content
Tract on birth, obstetrics and gynecology against a Christian background
Artist / School

Available facsimile editions:
Libro del arte de las comadres o madrinas y del regimiento de las preñadas y paridas y de los niños – Vicent Garcia Editores – M.618.2c21d – Biblioteca de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Madrid, Spain)
Vicent Garcia Editores – Valencia, 2000
Limited Edition: 3000 copies
Detail Picture

Libro del arte de las comadres o madrinas y del regimiento de las preñadas y paridas y de los niños

Table of Contents

It is believed that the great Pliny the Elder was the first to use a table of contents to make navigating his encyclopedic Historia naturalis easier for its audience in 1st century Rome. Eusebius of Caesarea created the so-called Canon Tables, specifically designed to organize the Gospels and show at a glance what sections align with one another. This Spanish work presents a typical table of contents in an early printed book based on the example of Pliny the Elder.

Libro del arte de las comadres o madrinas y del regimiento de las preñadas y paridas y de los niños – Vicent Garcia Editores – M.618.2c21d – Biblioteca de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Madrid, Spain)
Single Page

Libro del arte de las comadres o madrinas y del regimiento de las preñadas y paridas y de los niños

Title Page

This elegantly designed title page introduces the world’s first gynecological manuscript, the so-called “Book Concerning the Art of Midwifery or Godfathership and of Pregnancy and of the Handling of Small Children”. It fittingly has a woodcut of the Virgin Mary and her relative St. Elizabeth, who miraculously gave birth to John the Baptist when she was over 60 years old.

The long title of the work is printed alternately in black and red ink and formatted into an inverted triangle that points to its date of publication, 1541. It is flanked by wonderfully detailed, classically styled columns and vases with human faces. At the bottom, a crowned “AM” initial on a shield is surrounded by flowering tendrils that turn into dragons’ heads.

Libro del arte de las comadres o madrinas y del regimiento de las preñadas y paridas y de los niños – Vicent Garcia Editores – M.618.2c21d – Biblioteca de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Madrid, Spain)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Libro del arte de las comadres o madrinas y del regimiento de las preñadas y paridas y de los niños

Vicent Garcia Editores – Valencia, 2000
Libro del arte de las comadres o madrinas y del regimiento de las preñadas y paridas y de los niños – Vicent Garcia Editores – M.618.2c21d – Biblioteca de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Madrid, Spain)
Libro del arte de las comadres o madrinas y del regimiento de las preñadas y paridas y de los niños – Vicent Garcia Editores – M.618.2c21d – Biblioteca de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Madrid, Spain) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles

Publisher: Vicent Garcia Editores – Valencia, 2000
Limited Edition: 3000 copies
Binding: Parchment on wooden board. Presentation dust jacket cloth lined with gold engraved leather spine containing facsimile.
Commentary: 1 volume
Language: Spanish
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Numbered by notary and signed by the printer-publisher. Specially made laid paper.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)
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