Editorial Standards
Purpose of the catalogue
The DEQWU Public Domain Literature Library catalogue exists to help readers discover and understand historical texts in medicine, health, and public health. It provides editorial context that prepares readers to engage with these works critically, without claiming to be a substitute for the original texts.
Scope and selection
The catalogue includes 93 books drawn from Project Gutenberg, all in the public domain. Works were selected for their historical significance, diversity of perspective, and relevance to the categories of Medicine, and History, Empires & Change. No works were included for commercial or promotional purposes.
Source attribution
Every book record explicitly credits Project Gutenberg as the source. Links to the full ebooks are provided. The catalogue does not host or modify the original texts; it only offers editorial notes and summaries.
Bibliographic records
Each record contains the title, author(s), publisher, keywords, target reader, and a catalogue note. Information is transcribed from Project Gutenberg metadata. Keywords and subjects are drawn from the original cataloguing.
Category assignment
Books are assigned to one of two categories based on their primary subject matter and approach. Works focused on clinical medicine, anatomy, and personal health go into Medicine; works concerned with public health policy, sanitation, and social reform go into History, Empires & Change. Some works span both categories; in such cases, the dominant theme determines placement.
Editorial reading context
Catalogue notes are written to guide a first reading. They highlight the work's structure, argument, and historical context, often discussing the author's rhetoric, use of evidence, and intended audience. Notes are not exhaustive analyses but entry points.
Edition facts and text measurements
All editions are those provided by Project Gutenberg, which are typically based on the first or early editions. No textual measurements (word counts, page numbers) are recorded in this catalogue.
Recommendations and related works
Each category guide recommends three works with specific reasons. These are editorial suggestions, not endorsements. Readers may find related works through keywords or browsing.
Corrections and reader reports
The editor welcomes reports of errors or suggestions for improvement. Contact information is available on the Contact Us page. Corrections are made at the editor's discretion.
Public-domain limitations
All works in this catalogue are in the public domain in the United States. Users outside the U.S. should verify the copyright status in their jurisdiction. The catalogue does not guarantee copyright status for all countries.
Accessibility and readable presentation
The catalogue is designed for accessibility, with semantic HTML, clear headings, and responsive structure. No images, scripts, or stylesheets are used in the editorial pages to ensure compatibility with assistive technologies.
Independence and editorial responsibility
The catalogue is independently edited by Joseph Christie, Anthology Editor. It is not affiliated with any university, medical institution, or commercial publisher. The editor assumes full responsibility for the content.
What the catalogue does not claim
This catalogue does not claim peer review, professional librarian credentials, or legal certification. It does not imply that every book has been read in full by the editor. It does not use AI for content generation, and does not engage in SEO or advertising practices.
Ongoing maintenance
The catalogue is periodically reviewed and updated. New works may be added as they become available in the public domain. The editorial standards are subject to revision.