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Medicine

We have very interesting collections that focus on medical humanities and mental health. They provide a fascinating look at the history of health and medicine covering a vast range of subjects, including a special focus on the intersection of health and society. Step into a time capsule of health history from the 1500s to today, showing how mental health treatments changed at places like The Retreat in York and how the NHS was built.

Medical Humanities

These collections offer a fascinating look at the history of health and medicine, featuring everything from rare 16th-century books to Leonardo da Vinci’s anatomical studies. You can explore unique archives on the treatment of mental illness or dive into social research reports regarding poverty, housing, and public policy. Together, these resources provide a powerful tool for understanding both our medical past and the social challenges of today.

Researching medical humanities

The collections cover a vast range of medical history and clinical practice, with records spanning nearly four and a half centuries. Click on the 'Subject' link on the catalogue to display the list of the many subject headings used to described the titles. 

Key subject areas include general medicine, psychiatric nursing, and medical microbiology, along with specialized fields like cardiology, dermatology, and oncology. These records provide deep insights into the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. You can also find resources on palliative care, medical ethics, and surgical procedures.

Another major focus of the collections is the intersection of health and society, covering topics like social policy, poverty, and housing. There is extensive information regarding social work, child welfare, and the support of older people. The holdings also explore public health management, addiction services, and the history of welfare systems. Together, these collections highlight a commitment to understanding both the biological and social factors that affect human health.

Notable collections/collectors  

Mental Health at York

We hold a rich range of resources reflecting the history of mental health care in the city of York from the seventeenth century to the early twentieth century. Records from Bootham Park Hospital (formerly known as York Lunatic Asylum, opened 1777), Clifton Hospital (formerly known as North Riding Asylum, opened 1847), and the library and archives of The Retreat reflect the history of the development of contemporary ideas and practices which formed the care and treatment of mental illness.

Researching mental health 

The collections offer a wide range of information about mental health and how care has changed over several centuries. A major part of the records focuses on psychiatry and hospitals, tracing the history of famous local places like The Retreat in York and other older "asylums" across Great Britain. You will find many books and records covering specific conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety, as well as autism and learning disabilities. Many of these records explain different ways to help people feel better, including talking therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and creative methods like art, music, and play therapy.

Beyond mental health, the collections cover brain science and physical health, including how the brain works and issues like strokes, dementia, and Parkinson's disease. There is also a deep look at public health and the history of the National Health Service (NHS), exploring how healthcare is managed and how it affects different groups of people, including children, women, and ethnic minorities. Finally, for those interested in the distant past, the records include very early medical books from as far back as the 1500s, covering the works of ancient doctors and the beginnings of modern medicine.

Notable collections/collectors  

 

How to access the collections 

All the collections can be accessed via the Library's online catalogue. A valid University of York username and password is required to access content online. 

Items held in the library can be consulted on site. Most of these titles can be borrowed using a suitable library card, some titles might be reference only and can only be read on site. 

Items held in the Borthwick can be consulted in the Borthwick Reading Room and copies can be made subject to copyright and condition. These materials cannot be loaned outside the University of York without the permission of the owners. Books in the Rare Books Collection and may also be consulted at the Borthwick Institute for Archives.