"Originated as a plan to produce an extension of those parts of Sarton's 'Guide to the History of Science' that deal with the life sciences". Over 4000 entries to international literature (primarily monographic) published to mid-1971. Entries arranged under broad sections dealing with general reference works, historiography of the life and medical sciences during the past and into the 20th century, and selected biographical titles. Numbered columns. Index of personal names.