From the Library of Dr. Herman J. Flax: Physician, Poet, Collector

On April 13, 1995, Dr. Herman J. Flax marked his retirement from over fifty years of practice in physical medicine and rehabilitation by donating his exceptional collection of physiatry books to Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Flax assembled the collection over thirty-five years. The volumes range from very old and rare materials, such as Thomas Linacre's translation of Galen's important treatise on hygiene published in Paris in 1538, to numerous current research materials in the field. Altogether the nearly 500 volumes in six languages make up an expansive collection in a field of medicine that includes aspects of rehabilitation and physical medicine, occupational therapy, orthopedics and alternative medicine. This exhibit highlights several books from the collection and provides some background on Flax and his career.