First published in 1517, the Feldtbuch was addressed to the military
surgeon. It focuses on treating wounds, amputating limbs, and extracting bullets
and arrows, though it also has chapters on subjects as varied as anatomy,
medications, and leprosy.
The illustrations, attributed to Hans Wechtlin, are well known for their
realistic depictions of surgical operations and are often handcolored, as in
this copy. Its pictures, along with its practical advice, made the
Feldtbuch one of the most popular-and plagiarized-surgical works of its
time. The first edition showed the first printed picture of an amputation.