Just how much good has medicine done over the years? And how much
damage does it continue to do?
The history of medicine begins with Hippocrates in the fifth
century BC. Yet until the invention of antibiotics in the 1930s
doctors, in general, did their patients more harm than good.
In this fascinating new look at the history of medicine, David
Wootton argues that for more than 2300 years doctors have relied on
their patients' misplaced faith in their ability to cure. Over and
over again major discoveries which could save lives were met with
professional resistance. And this is not just a phenomenon of the
distant past. The first patient effectively treated with penicillin
was in the 1880s; the second not until the 1940s. There was
overwhelming evidence that smoking caused lung cancer in the 1950s;
but it took thirty years for doctors to accept the claim that
smoking was addictive. As Wootton graphically illustrates,
throughout history and right up to the present, bad medical
practice has often been deeply entrenched and stubbornly resistant
to evidence.
This is a bold and challenging book--and the first general history
of medicine to acknowledge the frequency with which doctors do
harm.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
