A Civil War surgeon’s instruments. A 16th-century volume on human anatomy. Notes of famed Georgia physician Crawford W. Long.

An exhibit of such historic medical books and artifacts has opened at Emory University.

“Medical Treasures,” on display through October, features materials from the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library, including 18th- and 19th-century works on human anatomy, pathology, surgery, midwifery and alternative medical practices.

Artifacts in the exhibit include one of the earliest stethoscopes from the 19th century, and a kit of a Civil War surgeon’s instruments, primarily used for amputation.

Materials related to the discovery of anesthesia are also part of the exhibition, including notes of Long, the Georgia physician and anesthesia pioneer for whom Emory University Hospital Midtown was originally named.

The last exhibition case is dedicated to a significant medical book: “de humani corporis fabrica” (On the structure of the human body), first published by Andreas Vesalius in 1543. It is considered the first accurate book on human anatomy.

Here’s a slideshow of some of the artifacts that are on display, courtesy of Emory.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG60pSTZx3k[/youtube]