Great Discoveries in Medicine

by William Bynum (Editor), Helen Bynum

Sickness and health, birth and death, disease and cure: medicine and our understanding of the workings of our bodies and minds are an inextricable part of how we know who we are.



In this inspiring compendium, distinguished experts from around the world explain medicine’s turning points and conceptual changes, and answer a series of key questions: How did the Plague influence the course of human history? What should complementary medicine’s role be? How did an audacious self-experiment lead to a cure for stomach ulcers and a Nobel Prize?



The book is magnificently illustrated with a unique array of pictures, from beautiful Renaissance anatomical drawings to the very latest computer- generated images of viruses and photographs that reveal the hidden world within our bodies.



Topics include
humors & pneumas, Islamic medicine, pathological anatomy, neuron theory, bedlam & beyond, parasites & vectors, hormones,
the genetic revolution, defibrillators, the endoscope, medical robots,
typhus, tuberculosis, smallpox, HIV, and more.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Science, Medicine, Medical

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 17, 2011

Reviews

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

3🌟I really liked that I got to learn about a bunch of different mini subjects in health and medicine

[Flynt · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. But then I'm comparing this book, an admittingly condensed look at medical developments, with more comprehensive, in-depth books. The short chapters are appreciated, as are the quality illustrations.

[Don O'goodreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a change of pace: a coffee table book, 70 enthusiastic essays, lavishly illustrated, with tidbits like: "skirts were shorten to avoid picking up germs." Everything is covered, except maybe clean water ... possibly bigger boon to human life than all the rest put together. For more, checkout http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2012/0....

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

In 'Great Discoveries in Medicine', Bynum discusses just that, from surgeries to diseases to medical achievements, this book provides a brief insight into many aspects of our current medical knowledge, skills, tools and procedures.

I wanted this book to hit so hard but it just didn't. I enjoyed some chapters and didn't enjoy others. I think my main problem with the book was how vague and brief it was. Yes, it covered SO much but at the expense of detailed information. I read a lot of medical science books so I found I actually knew a good chunk of this information already because it was so basic. I think if I read this book prior to reading lots of other medical science books, I would have enjoyed it more but unfortunately it just fell a bit flat for me.

[Valerie McGurk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this is such an interesting book, easy to dip in and out of as we learn about all the discoveries that help to maintain our health. Fascinating although lots of names and dates as you would expect.

[Beatriz Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uma verdadeira viagem no tempo...
Leitura muito fácil, fluida, que entrega o que promete
Percorremos alguns dos acontecimentos mais importantes na história da medicina.
Para quem quiser aprender mais sobre o tema, vale a pena!

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love medicine so automatically loved the book <3

[JONAH GUILLERMO · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the book is filled with knowledge about medical advancement history, I find the writing style too dry.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit outside of my usual reading range. Very much enjoyed this accessible history of medicine. We've known about diabetes for 2000 years? So many advances in the last 100 years. The process of trial and error and discovery is fascinating.