Versehung des Leibs.

Written in 1429, this didactic poem is the first known text to be devoted to the normal physiology and common illnesses of children. It was written in old Swabian, and its author was a monk. The poem was probably intended to be chanted, as an aid to memorization, and as a way of spreading of information among those who were not able to read and write; but, of course, in book form it had to be read. For details of this rare work, see J. Ruhräh, Pediatrics of the past, New York, 1925, pp. 465-86.  Digital facsimile from Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel at this link.  ISTC No. ih00013000.