Open House Featuring Rare Books on Childbirth is May 14

The public is invited to attend the John Martin Rare Book Room annual open house from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14, on the fourth floor of the University of Iowa Hardin Library for the Health Sciences. The free exhibit, "De Partu Hominis: Six Centuries of Obstetrics," showcases rare books on childbirth from the 15th through the 20th centuries.

Visitors can view and page through early atlases and manuals used by midwives and physicians. The books depict and explain birthing chairs, forceps, caesarean section, the development of anesthesia and complications of labor and delivery.

The exhibit is sponsored by the UI History of Medicine Society.

For more information contact Ed Holtum, curator, 319-335-9154 or edwin-holtum@uiowa.edu.