Cambridge History of Medicine

Author: Roy Porter (USA), Zhang Daqing, Li Zhiping, Liu Xueli, etc.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-10-01
Features: Just as the West believes it has politically and militarily defeated totalitarianism, Western medicine has also achieved similar success in the medical field. A History of Cambridge Medicine traces the evolution of Western medicine from ancient times to the present day against the backdrop of the rapidly advancing modern medical field, analyzes the current challenges facing medicine, and explores the future trends of medical development. Written by renowned experts in Western medical history, including Professor Roy Porter of the Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine at the University of Cambridge, the book offers profound insights, vivid language, and abundant information and images. This not only makes the book authoritative but also enhances its readability and collectibility. With both a general perspective and a professional lens, the book examines the history of disease, health, and medicine in human society over more than 2,000 years and their interrelationships. It retraces the magnificent achievements and significant events in the history of medicine from ancient times to the present, while also focusing on discoveries and debates in medical history and the issues that have hindered medical progress. Unlike general medical history books, this one gives equal importance to the narrative of disease and treatment, medical science and society, and the relationship between patients and doctors, reflecting the modern style of combining internal and external history in medical history research. Another important feature of this book is that the authors provide extensive and comprehensive discussions on the past 150 years—the key period for the development of modern medicine. Throughout the book, there is an emphasis on the complex social functions of medicine and an exploration of the significance of the evolving patient experience. It places the development of medicine from the Hippocratic Oath to modern medical ethics, from leeches to laser surgery, and examines modern issues such as the doctor-patient relationship, the nature of advances in basic and clinical medicine, and how healthcare is managed, all within a historical context. The book also provides rich and authoritative references for related topics. Additionally, it includes a chronology of major events in the history of medicine, a table of major human diseases, and a chronology of the Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine, all of which are convenient for readers to consult.