Do No Harm

by Nick Arnold, Stephanie von Reiswitz (Illustrator)

For the gruesomely curious or medically minded, this romp through the history of medicine packs in the fascinating and often macabre ideas and practices employed during humanity's constant battle against illness and injury. Discover the pills and potions that often did more harm than good, the bizarre treatments and torturous surgeries. As well as finding strange and little-known stories, readers will also develop a deeper understanding of the pioneers and pivotal discoveries that paved the way for the modern medicine we often take for granted today.

Genres: Nonfiction

128 pages, Hardcover

Published November 16, 2021

About the author

Nick Arnold is the author of the award winning series, Horrible Science and Wild Lives. Arnold's first published works appeared as a result of a project he was working on at the University of North London, when he was trying to teach young children. A positive review was written about him, and he started to write the "Horrible Science" books. His books are illustrated by Tony De Saulles.

Reviews

[Rohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a picture book, but lots of pages, so still counts!

Cool little run through of different parts of the body and ways medicine helped (or hindered) in the past.

Another great kids non-fiction find, this time by my best man Declan!

[ells · Rating 3 out of 5]

excellent illustrations, but could be more detailed on the history side

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite its subtitle, Do no Harm is not a painful history of medicine. It is an eye-opening account of the thousands of medical professionsals (mostly admitted by the Author to be men, from a historical account). Tracing every element of healthcare from Ancient Egypt and Ancient China to 2021, Nick Arnold brings to light the history of optometry, dental health, cardiac health, dermatology, microbiology and germs, x-rays, senses, giving birth, blood diseases, physical diseases, neurological treatment, etc.
So, each section is broken down into seven chapters to address the farthest written text of the past to the most modern developments. Incredibly, each chapter is packed with facts but never seems overbearing. Included are the dates, famous individuals involved, some rare reproductions of individuals' writings, tools and visual aides, and more.
One thing that fascinated me about all of this medical history was that MOST of what we take for granted in our modern age are NOT such old discoveries in the medical field. Imagine what could be achieved in 20-50 years from now with the tools that are at our fingertips. That is also a question I would encourage every reader of this book to ask.
For example, did you know that the stethoscope was created around 1816...(that's approximately 206 years ago. I know that feels like an eternity, but humans have been "Civilized" for many more before that). Or even blood pressure checkers or patient thermometers didn't become "standardized" until the 1890's. Hearing aids weren't even patented to be wearable until the 1950's.
To find out this and other unique facts about the body, medicine, and its history, check out this book.
Now, there was only 1 thing that I didn't personally care for in this book.
-Nick Arnold (unintentionally...maybe...) will sometimes add his opinions into it. While we all can understand that some ideas/inventions/practices/moments in world history are "barbaric" or "cruel", I don't necessarily think that a Non-Fiction author should state that unless its a quote. I do fully believe him in my opinion that certain practices were impractical or gross or cruel methods, but...for non-fiction, isn't that for the reader to decide?
He doesn't do it very often and if you read enough Non-Fiction, you may understand what I mean, but it was really the only negative I will say for this book, and its a personal nitpick, but an excellent and engaging read.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book although it had a lot more about how things worked in ratio to the history of medicine but still a good read. Quick and easy.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

an excellent and very readable book, aside from the extremely unfortunate decision to refer to Dr. James Barry as a "woman in disguise", and referring to the good doctor by his dead name.

[Samantha van Buuren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exactly what a parent needs to help their kids with school science homework. While reading it I realised that it covered a lot of what I remember from primary school science, though thus book has more details, a few pretty gorey, and wonderful illustrations.

I really enjoy reading the history of medicine, it's a morbid fascination for me I guess because if I had been born in the 19th century I'd have probably died young. Books like this promote gratitude towards out health care system and those who worked tirelessly to give us the medicines and treatments we have now.

There is also a wonderful page about how the first vaccine was developed. Definitely apt in our current situation!