What it does
Images from the History of Medicine is NLM’s collection of historical photographs, engravings, posters and other visual material. It documents the social and historical aspects of medicine through images from the fifteenth to twenty-first centuries.
Start with Search IHM for this image collection, or use NLM Digital Collections to explore related biomedical books and moving images. The Library’s Flickr selection provides another route to public-domain material, including patent-medicine trade cards and AIDS posters.
NLM charges no access or permission fee for IHM images, but it does not own all the copyrights. Its publication guidance asks for the credit “Courtesy of the National Library of Medicine.” Any permission required from another rights holder remains separate from the Library’s free access.
Strengths
- A dedicated IHM search focuses on historical visual material.
- The linked public-domain selection includes named thematic albums.
- NLM does not charge access or permission fees for IHM use.
Watch out for
- Free access does not establish unrestricted copyright reuse for every image.
Best for
- Researchers and editors illustrating the history of medicine and public health
Sources
- Images from the History of Medicine (Oct 27, 2026)
- Historical Collections Copyright Information | NLM (Oct 27, 2026)