Editorial Standards

Works are drawn exclusively from Project Gutenberg’s public-domain collection. Selection emphasizes texts that illuminate the history of health, medicine, and human thought. Genres include medical treatises, hygiene manuals, nursing guides, patent medicine critiques, and public health addresses. The catalogue currently holds 98 books across two categories. No works outside these domains are included.

Every book record identifies Project Gutenberg as the source publisher. Authors, translators, and editors are listed with birth and death years where available. Catalogue notes and editorial materials are original to YOIPU and written by editor Henry Fitzgerald. No content is derived from other sources without attribution.

Each record includes title, author(s), publisher, subject keywords, target-reader designation, and a catalogue note. Keywords are taken from the source metadata; catalogue notes are interpretive essays written by the editor. These notes draw solely on the content of the work and its historical context, as described in the source.

Books are grouped into two categories based on thematic affinity: medical practice and domestic hygiene, and public health and human nature. These categories are navigational tools, not authoritative classifications. Some works could fit multiple categories; the assignment reflects a judgment call by the editor. Readers should explore both categories for a fuller view.

Editorial notes are written from the perspective of a first-time reader encountering an unfamiliar text. They focus on structure, rhetoric, and recurring themes, not on exhaustive summary. The notes assume no prior knowledge of the work and aim to make the text approachable without over-simplifying. Recommendations are based on the editor’s reading of the work within its historical context.

Editions are reproduced as provided by Project Gutenberg. No textual modifications, corrections, or updates have been made. The catalogue does not include physical measurements such as page counts or word counts. Date references are limited to those present in the source metadata.

Category guides include three recommended books from that category. Recommendations are based on representativeness, historical significance, or complementarity. The editor selects works that illustrate the category’s diversity or offer contrasting perspectives. No algorithm or external ranking is used.

Readers may submit error reports or suggestions via the contact form at /contact-us. The editor reviews all submissions and updates the catalogue as needed. No formal peer review process exists.

All works in this catalogue are believed to be in the public domain in their country of origin. However, copyright status may vary internationally. Users are responsible for verifying local copyright laws before reuse. The catalogue does not guarantee legal clearance for all jurisdictions.

The catalogue is designed for readability: clean layout, sans-serif fonts, and structured navigation. All texts are presented as HTML with minimal styling. No images, tables, or scripts are used. The site aims to be compatible with screen readers and simple browsers. No separate mobile version is provided.

The catalogue is independently produced by Henry Fitzgerald, Poetry Editor, based in New Zealand. No institution, university, or commercial entity oversees its content. Editorial decisions are solely the responsibility of the named editor. The catalogue does not accept advertising or sponsorships.

The catalogue does not claim that every book has been read in full, nor does it assert peer review, legal certification, university affiliation, or professional librarian credentials. It does not guarantee copyright status in all regions. It does not use AI-generated content, SEO tactics, or promotional language such as “timeless journey” or “rich tapestry.” It does not provide medical advice; historical texts are presented for scholarly and informational purposes only.

The catalogue is updated periodically as new public-domain works become available or as editorial notes are revised. Breakage of links or errors in metadata are corrected on a best-effort basis. Readers can check the /about-us page for version information. No fixed release schedule exists.