Cataloging: Fundamentals of the NLM® Classification
Module 4—General Principles
page 4 of 13
Introduction
Module 1
Overview of NLM Classification
Module 2
Using the Online NLM Classification
Module 3
Components of NLM Call Numbers
Module 4
General Principles
Module 5
Table G
Module 6
Form Numbers
Module 7
Bibliographies and Related Materials
Module 8
Classification of 19th Century Works and Early Printed Books
Module 9
Continuing Resources
Classification Preference
- Works are generally classified in this order of preference:
- With the disease, or
- With the organ or region chiefly affected, or
- With the special form of therapy, diagnostic procedure, or environmental condition as a cause of disease, etc., if disease is mentioned peripherally
Classification by Disease
- Some organ disease headings have separate class numbers. In addition, some may have additional class numbers for subtopics such as diagnosis or therapy
- Example:
- Example:
- Class general diseases of an organ in the class number for the organ if no separate number is available, unless otherwise instructed
- Exception: Diagnosis of diseases of famous persons, derived from records, memoirs, letters, portraits, etc. is classed in WZ 313
Classification by Region/Organ
- A work dealing with a particular region of the body or an organ is classified with the region or organ system, depending on the emphasis of the work
- For example:
- General works on the head and neck are classed with the musculoskeletal system in the WE schedule
- Works related to the mouth in the context of dentistry are classed in the WU schedule
- Works on the mouth as part of the digestive system are generally classed with the digestive system in the WI schedule
- For example:
Procedures
- If the work is about a special form of therapy or diagnostic procedure, and the disease is only mentioned in the context of the therapy or procedure, classify, as always, for the primary subject
- Generally class the reversal of a medical procedure in the same number as the procedure itself, if no separate number exists
