The late Dr. Logan Clendening remarksin his forward, "Here, indeed is theepitome of one of the greatest works on science ever to be written; one of the foundations of modern civilization." Osier had made similar remarks previously about the Fabrica.
Throughout the history of medicine, it is amazing that such an outstanding book as the Epitome should have been neglected by English translators. There were immediate translations into German and Dutch, but today there is no other translation in a modern tongue. Professor Lind is to be highly complimented for such a fine translation. The format of the book is excellent and contains the Latin text with all the meticulous woodcuts of the original, illustrating the compendium.
It was Vesalius' intention that the Epitome be a compendium —a brief descriptive anatomy. He wished this book to have as wide circulation as possible; to serve the medical profession