Great Discoveries in Medicine

The Bynums, co-authors of the Dictionary of Medical Biography, have compiled a fascinating volume in which they explore the long history of medicine, with past and present seamlessly combined in each chapter. Every page includes lavish color illustrations in the form of photographs, paintings, period posters, and medical diagrams. Readers will learn about the origin of the word "bedlam," the long history of defibrillation, and the details of 19th century quinine production for malaria treatment. Illustrations include photographs of the first thermometer, lung cancer cell division, and a Nepalese diagram of the human body circa 1800. The volume is divided into sections that address different areas of medicine and studies of the body from the ancient world to modern times: tools, contagious diseases, remedies, surgery, and various technological innovations. Written for the layperson, this book will enthrall a large audience, from students learning about human biology to armchair medical scientists. (Oct.)