Medicine before Science: The Business of Medicine from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment

by Roger French

This book is an introduction to the history of university-trained physicians from the Middle Ages to the eighteenth-century Enlightenment. While considered elite (in reputation and rewards) and successful, we know little of their clinical effectiveness. To modern eyes their theory and practice often seems bizarre. But historical evidence reveals that they were judged on other criteria, and this book asserts that these physicians helped to construct and meet the expectations of society.

Genres: History, Technology

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Roger Kenneth French
sometimes published as Roger K. French or R.K. French

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

Reviews

[Tonileg]

History of medicine and medical practices has always interested me since I picked up Plagues and Peoples and I got the 'bug' about the crazy ideas humans get about disease and healing.
So in the Middle Ages we get the start of Universities and a standardized educational system for our architects, medical doctors and other scientific men (and yes, it is only men at this time!). But let's not forget all the midwives and lady herbalists, but I guess this author didn't want to go out too far from his explication of the texts and theories that were popular in the heteronormative society.

While considered elite (in reputation and rewards) and successful, we know little of their clinical effectiveness. To modern eyes their theory and practice often seems bizarre. But historical evidence reveals that they were judged on other criteria, and this book asserts that these physicians helped to construct and meet the expectations of society.

296 pages and bought new