A Story of Medicine in 50 Discoveries: From Mummies to Gene Splicing

by Marguerite Vigliani M. D., Gale Eaton, Phillip Hoose (Series Editor)

Starred Youth Services Book Review Vigliani and Eaton’s high-interest exploration of medicine begins in prehistory. The 5,000-year-old Iceman discovered frozen in the Alps may have treated his gallstones, Lyme disease, and hardening of the arteries with the 61 tattoos that covered his body―most of which matched acupuncture points―and the walnut-sized pieces of fungus he carried on his belt. The herbal medicines chamomile and yarrow have been found on 50,000-year-old teeth, and neatly bored holes in prehistoric skulls show that Neolithic surgeons relieved pressure on the brain (or attempted to release evil spirits) at least 10,000 years ago. From Mesopotamian pharmaceuticals and Ancient Greek sleep therapy through midwifery, amputation, bloodletting, Renaissance anatomy, bubonic plague, and cholera to the discovery of germs, X-rays, DNA-based treatments and modern prosthetics, the history of medicine is a wild ride through the history of humankind. Color throughout

Genres: History

288 pages, Paperback

Published January 15, 2019

Reviews

[Tebel Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason, this account isn't what I expected. Print is very small, stories have been re-hashed. Illustrations are mildly interesting.