It was late summer in the my first year in medical school, an early Friday evening, and I had just finished several hours of studying at the law library on "big ten" campus. A friend and I had arranged to meet for dinner. So with my book bag bulging and heavy, I walked the couple blocks to the Union and stood outside on the sidewalk waiting and watching all the cars and students pass by. On the way there, I had taken out one of the heavier books and hand carried it to lighten the load. The book was "Atlas of Human Anatomy" by the venerable Frank Netter. Love that book! As I waited, this new favorite book was cradled in both hands, closed shut with title turned discreetly towards me.
So, two guys are walking by, and one of them points and exclaims to me, "Hey! Is that a Netter?" And in utter disbelief I reply, "Yes.. it is!" What in the world??!! I had purposely turned the book so that my identity as a med student could be concealed. The book was completely black and was marked only by the lettering on the front which simply stated the title and the author's name. Yet somehow a complete stranger took one look and recognized it instantly! Huh??? Well, turns out they were from Ohio (not that Ohioans have special ESP or anything) visiting a friend on campus and they were also both medical students. Wow.
Dr. Frank H. Netter, for those in the non-medical field, is the gold standard of medical illustrators. His book, the "Atlas of Human Anatomy" is required and/or recommended reading in many medical schools, and is not referred to as "the Atlas", but rather the "Netter". The elegance of his drawings and practical views and dissections have enabled many students in the medical and medical-related fields to learn and understand the anatomy of the human body. Netter was born in Manhattan, and from an early age had a strong interest in art, specifically drawing, and desired to be an artist. His parents however, wanted him to pursue something a little more "practical", and thus young Netter matriculated into medical school. Even then, the interest in drawing had not diminished. According to netterimages.com, Netter took notes in pictures rather than words, and had also made several illustrations for different lectures and textbooks. He finished training as a surgeon, but this was the time of the Depression. Netter was able to make more money by doing illustrations, specifically medical illustrations, and through a series of events, found himself as a medical illustrator. This twist of fate allowed Netter to effectively merge his love of drawing and background of medicine, thus positively influencing the education of countless generations of students in the medical field! Amazing how these things happen!
For more info, check out this link:
netter bio
Happy reading!
Anyone have any favorite interesting books to share? Comments are welcome!
OMNIA VINCIT AMOR
amara
© 2010 amara/aag musings of a trauma rad
No comments:
Post a Comment