Medicine before Science

Medicine before Science by Roger French

This book offers an introduction to the history of university-trained physicians from the middle ages to the eighteenth-century Enlightenment. These were the elite, in reputation and rewards, and they were successful. Yet we can form little idea of their clinical effectiveness, and to modern eyes their theory and practice often seems bizarre. But the historical evidence is that they were judged on other criteria, and the argument of this book is that these physicians helped to construct the expectations of society - and met them accordingly. The main focus is on the European Latin tradition of medicine, reconstructed from ancient sources and relying heavily on natural philosophy for its explanatory power. This philosophy collapsed in the 'scientific revolution', and left the learned and rational doctor in crisis. The book concludes with an examination of how this crisis was met - or avoided - in different parts of Europe during the Enlightenment.

'The author combines erudition with a lively style in a book that should be read by anyone wishing to understand the history of medicine' The Scientific and Medical Network Review
'Brilliant chapters discuss the theory of contagion after the Black Death, the impact of syphilis, and how the anatomical work of Vesalius and Harvey - together with the work of figures such as Galileo, Newton and Descartes - forced new attitudes on the profession.' British Medical Journal
'… well-written and interesting … As the final work in a long and illustrious career, Medicine before Science plays and important role in our understanding of medieval and early modern medical beliefs and practices.' History

Roger French is Lecturer in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge, and a Fellow of Clare Hall.

SKU	Nicht verfügbar
ISBN 13	9780521007610
ISBN 10	0521007615
Titel	Medicine before Science
Autor	Roger French
Buchzustand	Nicht verfügbar
Bindungsart	Paperback
Verlag	Cambridge University Press
Erscheinungsjahr	2003-02-20
Seitenanzahl	296
Hinweis auf dem Einband	Die Abbildung des Buches dient nur Illustrationszwecken, die tatsächliche Bindung, das Cover und die Auflage können sich davon unterscheiden.
Hinweis	Nicht verfügbar