How the World Works: Medicine : From early healing to the miracles of modern medicine

'Medicine is not only a science; it is also an art. It does not consist of compounding pills and plasters; it deals with the very processes of life, which must be understood before they may be guided.' Paracelsus (1493-1541) For thousands of years, people have sought ways to overcome the diseases and disorders of the body, with methods ranging from incantations, talismans and herbal cures to antibiotics, vaccines and organ transplants. In a fascinating narrative, this book charts our remarkable progress along the road of medical discovery, describing the key developments and breakthroughs in our understanding of our own bodies. Topics include: • Historical models of the body and disease • The role of dissection in medical discovery • Plagues and pandemics throughout history • Germ theory and contagion • Scarificators, leeches, maggots and other nasty treatments • Nature's pharmacopoeia Beautifully illustrated throughout