Blood and Guts: A Short History of Medicine
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.78 (881 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0393037622 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 208 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 0000-00-00 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Even on the printed page he maintains a conversational tone that makes the topic wholly accessible. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. The book derives from lectures in the social history of medicine that he gave at Wellcome Institute at University College, London. Porter clearly knew and loved his subject, but he could not bring himself to part with some of the trees to paint a clearer picture of the forest. From Publishers Weekly Some histories are simply too long for a short treatment, as this engaging but cursory volume demonstrates. Votes were to be had not just in bread and circuses but in beds and surgery." But too often such social analysis is sidelined by a rapid-fire recitation of dates, practitioners' names and fleeting references to their contributions. Porter, who died in 2002, cleverly uses this scheme to discuss major developments in rough chronologi
With his characteristic wit and vastly informed historical scope, Roy Porter examines the war fought between disease and doctors on the battleground of the flesh from ancient times to the present. Cleverly illustrated with historic line drawings, the chronic ailments of humanity provide vivid anecdotes for Porter's enlightening story of medicine's efforts to prevail over a formidable and ever-changing adversary. 38 b/w illustrations.. He explores the many ingenious ways in which we have attempted to overcome disease through the ages: the changing role of doctors, from ancient healers, apothecaries, and blood-letters to today's professionals; the array of drugs, from Ayurvedic remedies to the launch of Viagra; the advances in surgery, from amputati
The Grisly History Behind Modern Medicine Step into the grisly world of historical medical care with Roy Porter's "Blood and Guts: A Short History of Medicine". This book focuses on the struggle of humans throughout time to defy nature and stay alive in spite of diseases and injuries.In this book, Porter explores the role of doctors throughout history, including the transformation from ancient healer to medical professional. "Blood and Guts" also delves into the development of prescription drugs and their role in helping the public. Each chap. "Enjoyable and informative" according to Tyler Tanner. I got this one because I love obscure history and it does not disappoint. Be warned the book is aptly named. It is gristly albeit fascinating. Starting with diseases and ending with modern medicine Porter takes you step by step chronologically through almost all aspects related to healing. He leaves no gall stone unturned (sorry couldn't help it.) He does at times get carried away with his terminology, but the book is surprisingly accessible. The author is able to convey the importance of discoveries . A quick and unsettling read Dennis Littrell In a sense this is a "lite" version of the late Roy Porter's well-received history of medicine from 1997, entitled The Greatest Benefit to Mankind. He is also the editor of The Cambridge Illustrated History of Medicine (1996) and was until his death professor of social history at University College London.But let's face it, the history of medicine has not been a pretty story, nor could it have been. Most of history's physicians were flailing about in the dark, the surgeons as sawbones and barbers perf