This book illuminates how crucial transformations in medical politics and organization were linked to wider changes in society, economy and ideology. Paying particular attention to developments in medical welfare for physically handicapped children, wounded soldiers and injured workers, this documented study challenges conventional accounts of medical specialization, provides Anglo-American comparisons and demonstrates the importance for medical modernity of changing interactions between philanthropy, war, labour, capital and the state.

This book illuminates how crucial transformations in medical politics and organisation were linked to wider changes in society, economy and ideology. Paying particular attention to developments in medical welfare for physically handicapped children, wounded soldiers and injured workers, this extensively documented study challenges conventional accounts of medical specialisation; provides Anglo-American comparisons; and demonstrates the importance for medical modernity of changing interactions between philanthropy, war, labour, capital and the state.