Disease and Medicine in World History / Edition 1

ISBN-13: 9780415278164 Publisher: Taylor & Francis Publication date: 06/19/2003 Series: Themes in World History Pages: 180 Product dimensions: 6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d) Disease and Medicine in World History is a concise introduction to diverse ideas about diseases and their treatment throughout the world. Drawing on case studies from ancient Egypt to present-day America, Asia and Europe, this survey discusses concepts of sickness and forms of treatment in many cultures. Sheldon Watts shows that many medical practices in the past were shaped as much by philosophers and metaphysicians as by university-trained doctors and other practitioners. Subjects covered include: Pharaonic Egypt and the pre-conquest New World the evolution of medical systems in the Middle East health and healing on the Indian subcontinent medicine and disease in China the globalization of disease in the modern world the birth and evolution of modern scientific medicine. This volume is a landmark contribution to t