A Brief History of Medicine: From Hippocrates' Four Humours to Crick and Watson's Double Helix

by Paul Strathern

The foundations for the scientific study of the body and modern Western medicine as we know it started with William Harvey's discovery of the circulatory system in the early 17th century. But its roots stretch back as far as ancient Greece, when medicine first departed from the divine and the mystical and moved toward observation and logic. Its early development was slow, constrained by the taboo around dissection (only external symptoms could be used for diagnosis), as well as superstition and mysticism (illness was the work of demons and pixies and curable only by penitence). Paul Strathern steers us skillfully through the maze of discoveries, diseases, and wrong turns that have made medicine what it is today—super efficient, high tech, and increasingly costly. A Brief History of Medicine offers an accessible history of the arguments, missteps, and dumb luck that led to the world's most important medical breakthroughs—from anatomy, grave robbing, the plague, and germ theory to vaccination, quackery, microorganisms, and penicillin.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medicine, Science, Medical, Biology, Health

280 pages, Paperback

First published June 23, 2005

About the author

Paul Strathern (born 1940) is a English writer and academic. He was born in London, and studied at Trinity College, Dublin, after which he served in the Merchant Navy over a period of two years. He then lived on a Greek island. In 1966 he travelled overland to India and the Himalayas. His novel A Season in Abyssinia won a Somerset Maugham Award in 1972.

Besides five novels, he has also written numerous books on science, philosophy, history, literature, medicine and economics.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy medical history. So much of it is a miracle wrapped around some luck with a spice of absolute genius...oh and a lot of dead things (sometimes people, but lots of rats and monkeys too).

Things I really liked about this book, it was a fun quick read. It was engaging and I enjoyed reading it. I learned a lot about how humours were thought of and how it affected our speech. How they used to think the heart was the center of the body and thought and soul...and that go us with the whole heart as the center of something thingy.

So I learned a lot.

But it all could be made up. I'm sorry, but without proper citation, it could all be some guy on a crack pipe throwing paint on the wall and writing the words the paint splattered into his eyes. Sure at the end he gives sources for each chapter.

EACH FREAKIN' CHAPTER.

And there was only 2 or 3 books PER CHAPTER. How the heck did he do that...I had more sources on my junior thesis paper "The Liberal Press and their views on neutrality: 1938-1941" That's not a book...that's a summary. And that's fine...summarize...but now I have to go through all those books and read those. Because otherwise, I'm just cheating...I'm reading the equivalent of historical cliff notes. Only without the copyright laws and the taint of plagiarism (it's not just words you plagiarize, it's ideas!)

Citations...people. They ain't just for fun. Or icing on this non-fiction historically accurate book. Citations are what differentiates "hey look I made this all up while I was smoking crack and throwing paint on the wall" and "hey, I worked and researched and dug out the truth, and i can tell you where i got each bit..."

So more later, it appears I have a lot of books to read.

[rmn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is similar to Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything except it's well written, not condescending or snarky, and instead of dealing with the broader history of scientific discovery, it focuses only on the history of medicine.

Overall it is an interesting, well researched book that could be a bit livelier but accomplishes what it sets out to do.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first nonfiction book I have read of my own volition since graduating college, so I’m pretty pleased with myself for finishing it. It certainly helped that this was a mostly entertaining read as well. I went back and forth between three and four stars, but I ultimately have settled on four, because I enjoyed more about this book than I disliked.

Things I got while reading this book:
1. A deeper understanding of medical history.
2. A couple of, not laughs, but those forceful nose exhales you do when something is mildly amusing.
3. Insight into the Pasteur vs. Koch rivalry, which I had previously not known existed.
4. A new podcast recommendation (thanks Annie!).

Things I did not get while reading this book:
1. A view of medical history that felt truly balanced. This is really my only complaint, but this book may better be titled “A Brief History of Medicine in Western Europe and the US.” We got one chapter on contributions out of the middle east, but it did feel less than comprehensive with it being so geographically centered on those two regions, which I suppose could also be considered understandable for a history that was designed to be brief; I don’t know enough about medical history to know if this is a valid complaint or not. It could be that all medical advances worth talking about really did come from Western Europe and the US, but even just typing that sentiment out seems absurd and highly unlikely. Didn’t ruin the book by any means, just an observation.

[Luz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives exactly what its titles says: a BRIEF history of Medicine. However it does it in an easily comprehensible format, easy to follow it and does not get lost in details. But I think this is a very good overall summarize of the history of medicine, and I can recommend for anyone who's just starting to build up a knowledge about this field. 4/5 ⭐️

[Jari · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5. As with most works peddling history, this book begins, travels, and ends neatly in the West. And with men. The first few chapters move slowly, without any particular direction or theme to suggest —but there are moments of genuine entertainment, likely more due to the irrepresible curiosity of the individual subjects than to the writer’s skill. Through the centuries, record-keeping becomes more robust and the stories become richer and even riveting through Strathern’s story-telling. The author must eventually be commended for repackaging biographical content with such style. This popular science book truly becomes a page-turner somewhere in the middle, before petering out as the discoveries become less sensational and more technical.

It’s only a few rungs down my favorite popular science book of recent note (that honor belongs to Singh’s Fermat’s Last Theorem), and I do recommend it for anyone —not just anyone in the field of health care. In fact, anyone could stand to benefit from a more curious appreciation of innovations like handwashing and sanitation, of moral quandaries like human anatomy studies, and of familiar themes like public health versus politics.

All good books of history should prompt some contemplation of the present and the future. Reading this book post-pandemic, it’s both depressing and hilarious to see how vulnerability to quack medicine repeats throughout the centuries. Our standards in medicine remain prey to marketing and politicking. Bishop George Berkely, an Irish philosopher in the empiric tradition, sold the “universal benefits of drinking tar-water” in both shops and papers. In 1667, Locke became the personal physician to the king (as well as the secondmost powerful person in the country), all without ever taking a course in medicine.

It’s also fascinating to see how we truly live in a time of small, infinite discoveries, compared to the times when each great experiment can redefine a field of study. Through this book, I learned about Avicenna’s Canon, which was treated as the standard textbook in medical schools for over 600 years, up to as late as 1650 —uncontested and easily accepted with zero criticisms! Not to mention the stronghold of ancient philosophers such as Galen, Hippocrates and Aristotle. Progress in medical thought for millennium in the West was almost nil. Meanwhile, in medical school, we saw one new edition of William’s (the bible for obstetrics) and Harrison’s (the cornerstone text for internal medicine) come out in the span of 5 years.

The time in between —1600s to 1800s, let’s say— was the time of great discoveries. To live in that era was to have the chance to be immortalized in textbooks. Many persons of interest within the book struggle with that sentiment, especially by the 20th to 21st century. Now the only remaining discoveries to be made are the cures for cancer, HIV, and possibly rabies. What is there left to discover?

Overall, a mostly-entertaining and easily readable highlight reel about medical history, using the individual journey of select scientists and physicians as a narrative vehicle for the big changes happening in the background.

[Angelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book a couple of years back, during my first year of medical school. It is as it says it is -- a brief history of everything -- so it makes for a quick and engaging read. I was interested to read it as a starting medical student, to get to know my field better, and I think I can say that it did what I wanted it to. I think the author presented the facts in an interesting, easily digestible, and memorable way. I found myself enjoying the part about Paracelsus and it stuck with me throughout the years. I think it is a great book whether you are a medical student wanting to understand the history of medicine better and contextualize yourself, or simply looking to entertain yourself for a while and learn something new. Paul Strathern gathered a lot of dense information and produced an easily readable book. I thought he gave a fresh perspective on a variety of topics and if I wanted to I could truth bomb my fellow students and professors. Obviously, if I were to want to study history on a deeper level I would pick up something more serious, but that's why there is a list of sources for further reading at the end. (And the History of Medicine course if you are in medical school like me).

[Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that its limited claim of being a history of medicine as a science is its own strength and weakness. On one hand, the historical narrative makes perfect sense within its own limitations; however, there were times in which the author was unfair and biased toward what counted as unscientific on modern standards, even going to the point of accepting inaccurate information as essential information. It is informative, but it needs to at least suspend some judgment on some aspects; for example, there is the description of the "Dark Ages" as having very little development regarding medicine, yet the natural philosophers of the Renaissance as well as those who would soon be called doctors of medical science would resort to the rich information left behind by the monastic communities and their tomes of what Strathern would call "non-medical knowledge." These are just some, and other nitpicky historians might find others. But still, it was a good read.

[Annie · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book was alright (as in, three stars, reasonably informative but not so brilliantly written that I was utterly blown away) right up until the third chapter. I'm admittedly a little touchy on the subject of Rosalind Franklin, but seriously? Did the author really need to play up her role as some villainous "lab harpy" (or whatever)? Sounds like someone drank the James D. Watson Kool Aid. Ugh.

[Jrranderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting and readable but a little spoilt by some obvious mistakes and the author's personal remarks on various people.

[Adam Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the history of medicine. The drawbacks are: (1) that this is almost exclusively a history of Western medicine so any Eastern traditions are overlooked and (2) there are some errors in regards to non-medicine related history. For example, Strathern mentions Nestorianism as a Christian heresy for believing that Jesus is a man but that is not true. In truth, all orthodox Christianity believes that Jesus is man. The issue comes in where Christianity understands that Jesus is also God. Nestorianism is heretical by declaring there is a separation between the divinity and the humanity of Jesus in his person whereas orthodox Christianity confesses that Jesus' humanity and divinity, although fully distinct from each other, is fully united in his person.

[Dennis Hitzeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really a highlight reel of the evolution of Western medicine into a beneficial scientific endeavor, but it provides a good overview for someone looking for a place to start on the subject. Where it suffers is with the author himself. Strahern as a strong, presumptive opinion about the subject, and his voice often overwhelms the story he is trying to tell. This is not to say his opinion is wrong--I believe that is for the reader to judge--but its near constant presence throughout the work makes reading it almost painful at times.

[Natalie deQuillfeldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never had as much fun reading a history book as I had with this one. I felt like I was learning something new on every page and reliving my medical school days as I read about the origin of many eponyms. Strathern doesn’t just list out facts; he imbues each historical account with the personality and flair of the physicians, nurses, and scientists at their origin. Most of all I enjoyed reading about Dr. James Barry, probably the earliest transgender physician we know of, and Florence Nightingale. Highly recommend for the nerds who love medical trivia.

[Chaw Madi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book “A brief history of medicine” brings us back to a time where illness was caused by furious ill-tempered gods and to the beginning of scientific medical practice, from Hippocrates to gene therapy. It portrays vividly the dedication and efforts of countless scientists, from selfless geniuses to self-promoting quacks together with their discoveries; one discovery leading to the next, contributing to what we have today.

[Megan Kish · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite non-fiction reads. An interesting history from start to finish. Vital for anyone who has any remote interest in medical history. Coming from someone with no medical background, I loved it!

[Marcos Alves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book. Describe the most important breakthroughs in an easy to read language. My favorite was the birth of the vaccine immediately followed by the birth of the anti-vaxers and their conspiracies and misinformation.

[Elīza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took 1,5 years to finish, though it was worth it! History of medicine in apprehensible manner.
Must-read for a med-student.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think its a brillant book to flick back to; and holds lots of medical info with out going overword.

[Pitiq · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most enjoyable books I've read. It is non-fiction, but you cannot put it down, as if you were reading the most captivating novel!

[Sarah Tisshaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting, but quite condescending and misogynistic at times.

[Syafiqa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book; nicely written to tell the story of various medical ideas and progress.

[Pramod Pant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few minor mistakes here and there but , overall, a delightful sweep of how medicine progressed. And frequently humorous, too. :)

[Abu Syakireen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief history of medicine is by no mean brief. It is a comprehensive book regarding the changes of human perception regarding their own inner body working as well as how to, as the book suggest, correct any disturbance to this delicate being. It started with ancient greek philospohy of human body and follow through with other medical pioneer that form new understanding, theory and technic about the human body. it shows the splintering of medical study from philosphy and natural philosphy to form its own discipline. In addition, it is quite amazing to know that some of the pioneer in medical knowledgw expansion is from someone that is not from medical background. What confuse me in this book is that, I could not quite follow went one theory is entirely abandon and when new one are wholeheartedly accepted. Regardless, this book has enlighten me with new knowledge not just in medical but the hardship of scientist and researcher in finding and proving new theory as well trying to make the world accept it.

[Shea Mastison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am pleasantly surprised at how great a read this was; in light of how dry and academic it could have been. Paul Strathern approaches the subject with great wit and enthusiasm to match!

This book is a rundown on pretty much all of medical history--excluding, of course, Eastern medicine for the most part (unless you count European homeopathy as a bastardized version of Eastern practices). Many of those responsible for the establishment of medicine, as it's practiced today, are just as colorful, and their stories just as entertaining, as anything found in fiction.

Strathern is great with his narratives, and he has an eye for fascinating bits of trivia which inevitably tend to reinforce the arguments he makes concerning whatever given topic he is currently writing about. There were times I literally laughed out loud at these little factoids; especially when they tie in so neatly to the overall theme of the book.

I recommend this for anyone interested in popular history.

[Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is yet another beautifully written book by Paul Strathern. His style allows the layman to not only read about the discoveries of medicine, but actually understand them and the process through which they were made. The only criticism that I would make comes perhaps from my own need to retain all the information provided in the book. Strathern, by dutifully giving credit where credit is due, takes the reader through the contributions of so many men and women that the reader may find it hard to keep all the names straight. It actually reminds me a bit of Russian literature with its grand cast of characters that can get muddled really easily. Overall, I would still recommend this book to anyone who is interested not only in the development of medicine, but also in a large part of what we understand as civilization.

[Charlie Topnik · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down, but it only gets 3 stars, because the time spent on biographical details of female pioneers in the medical field was incredibly short compared to that of their male counterparts and also because there were only brief mentions here and there of asylums without any information at all on the development of psychiatric medicine and practices. Though this was meant to be a brief history, I found it still carried on medicine's history of marginalizing the female and the mentally ill. Disappointing in a work of otherwise well laid out and readable descriptions of the usually very complex and difficult to absorb evolution of the field of medicine.

[Rachael Arsenault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely an interesting and informative read, though I wish it had given a little more attention to women in medicine and non-European medicine. Some of the male figures received entire chapters dedicated to them, right down to nitty gritty details about their personal life, while there was only one chapter about just a few women. It would have been nice to see some discussion about the impacts of witch trials in medicine since midwives and healers were common targets, as well as more attention to the impacts of Asian and Native American medical practices.

[Boyke Rahardian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fom Hippocrates to Crick & Watson, what initially starts as disjointed efforts, evolves into a multidisciplinary approach to better humans’ condition. Also tells interesting background stories of those individuals who vitally contribute to the advance of medicine. Some were forgotten, others were looking for wealth & fame, while those like Alexander Flemming were helped by lucky accidence—and found penicillin the silver bullet against most infections. Overall an entertaining and enlightening read.

[Ke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the title promises, this book provides a brief survey of the history of medicine. Given that I am an ignoramus in the field, I found it really educational. For example, I had no idea that the discovery of the cure for polio was that elaborate.

What I didn't expect from the book, however, was how Strathern injected his ideas. While I agree with what he says about plastic surgery, I believe that it wasn't the role of his book to intrude.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great combination of history and the origins of medicine...

[Sarah Schieffer Riehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice history that shows how medical history is interconnected, writ large. Some irritating typos, but worth it.