Anatomy of the Human Body

Overview

Anatomy of the Human Body by William Cheselden is a medically extensive anatomical atlas that contains various case studies and illustrations. There is countless evidence that suggests that the book’s first edition was printed and published around 1713, but this edition (XIII) was later expanded on and published in the late 18th century, containing further information about muscles, organs, and other structures. It is not a manuscript but rather evidence of the use of the printing press and moveable type. Interestingly, the copper plate engravings have been inserted at a later date than publication indicated by pages that do not contribute to the running page number. For the illustrations and engravings, Cheselden decided that it would be best to use camera obscura to create the initial drawings. Cheselden combined his expertise of surgery and anatomy with the need for the creation of a standardized medical textbook and created this book.