Presents a brief yet authoritative 500-year history of the science, the philosophy, and the controversies of modern medicine. While this work mainly explores Western medicine, González-Crussi also describes how modern medicine's roots extend to both Greco-Roman antiquity and Eastern medical traditions. Covered in detail are the birth of anatomy and the practice of dissections; the transformation of surgery from a gruesome art to a sophisticated medical specialty; a short history of infectious diseases; the evolution of the diagnostic process; advances in obstetrics and anesthesia; and modern psychiatric therapies and the challenges facing organized medicine today. González-Crussi's approach to these and other topics stems from his professed belief that the history of medicine isn't just a continuum of scientific achievement but is deeply influenced by the personalities of the men and women who made or implemented these breakthroughs.--From publisher description.

The rise of anatomy -- The rise of surgery -- Vitalism and mechanism -- The mystery of procreation -- Pestilence and mankind -- Concepts of disease -- The diagnostic process -- Therapy -- Some concluding thoughts.