Extra Credit Event 2 - UCLA Biomedical Library

For my second Extra Credit Event, I stayed on the campus of UCLA and visited the Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library.  A couple of images greeted me as I entered the library that reminded me of Unit 4 which dealt with Medicine + Technology + Art.  An image taken from the first illustrated book on medicine, Fasiculus medicinae, hangs on the wall right outside of the library entrance.  Fasiculus medicinae was a collection of six independent medieval medical treatises which differed from each other.  The collection was first printed in 1941 and originally existed in two handwritten manuscripts.  The transfer of medical knowledge has always been an important tool in the prevention of diseases.  By using art to highlight effective medical techniques, doctors could visually transfer their techniques to ensure that other doctors properly understood their methods.

Another not so surprising theme present at the Biomedical library was the merger of Biotechnology + Art.  A picture, The ferns of Great Britain and Ireland, was made of impressions from actual ferns.  This illustration might not seem like a big deal to the casual observer, but ferns have long been used for medicinal purposes.  They have helped to cure mental, stomach, respiratory and throat disorders.  Scientists and doctors have continually looked to the nature as an answer to some of the world's health issues.

When I went to the library, I was thinking that the majority of my blog would deal with the merger of medicine, technology, and art.  One theme that was evident throughout my visit was the merger of "Two cultures".  Since it was Finals week, there were students sprawled out on couches and passed out in corners all over the library.  I was hoping to take a snap shot of a couple of students for my blog, but no one seemed interested in taking a break from their study session.  As the students prepared for Finals, I noticed a wide variety of students that included professional students, graduate students, and undergraduate students.  The campus of UCLA truly is a merger of various cultures and it was cool to see so many people from various backgrounds using a similar resource (the UCLA Biomedical Library) to help assist them in achieving their goals. 


SOURCE:

Goldman, Paula de Ketham, Joannes. "Fasiculus medicinae". History & Special Collections, Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library, UCLA. Venice: 1500.

"Fasiculus medicinae".  Web. 13 Dec. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasciculus_Medicinae>.

Srivastava, Kamini, "Importance of Ferns in Human Medicine".  Issue 15 November 2007.  Web. 13 December 2013. <http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1029&context=ebl>.


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