Sickness and health, birth and death, disease and cure: medicine and our understanding of the workings of our bodies and minds are an important part of how we know who we are.
Great Discoveries in Medicine is a fascinating account of the evolution of medical knowledge and practice from ancient Egypt, India, and China to the latest technology.
The science and art of healing is now more necessary than ever, as our bodies face new challenges from increased longevity, globalization and environmental change.
This inspiring book explains medicine’s turning points and developments in a refreshingly accessible way and answers some key questions:
- How has the plague influenced the course of human history?
- What effect did the pill have on the lives of women, and on society as a whole?
- How are diseased hearts and worn-out hips replaced?
- How did a self-experiment lead to a cure for stomach ulcers?
- What should complementary medicine’s role be?
The book is magnificently illustrated throughout with a unique array of pictures, from Islamic manuscripts and Renaissance anatomical drawings to the very latest computer-generated images of viruses and photographs.
Further details of Great discoveries in medicine can be found on the main catalogue, available in ‘Catalogues’ on the Library’s website.
(Photo credit: Thames & Hudson. Image shows a group of people in a circular lecture room crowded around a body lying on a wooden table)