Providing an account of the evolution of medicine, this book shows how the high-tech investigations and treatments of today grew out of the first fumblings for knowledge of the witch doctors and shamans of pre-history. Throughout, there are boxed stories on the great characters and incidents of the past, and feature spreads on turning points in medical approaches to disease. Finally, a collection of essays on medicine's future direction and development, divided into specialties written by leading experts, provides food for thought. Dr Sutcliffe is also the author of "Relaxation Techniques".