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Blood and Guts A Short History of Medicine
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Blood and Guts A Short History of Medicine Hardcover - 2003

by Roy Porter


Summary

Mankind's battle to stay alive is the greatest of all subjects. This brief, witty and unusual book by Britain's greatest medical historian compresses into a tiny span a lifetime spent thinking about millennia of human ingenuity in the quest to cheat death. Each chapter sums up one of these battlefields (surgery, doctors, disease, hospitals, laboratories and the human body) in a way that is both frightening and elating. Startlingly illustrated, A SHORT HISTORY OF MEDICINE is the ideal presentfor anyone who is keenly aware of their own mortality and wants to do something about it. It is also a wonderful memorial to one of Penguin's greatest historians.

From the publisher

An eminently readable, entertainign romp through the history of our vain and valiant efforts to heal ourselves. Mankind's battle to stay alive and healthy for as long as possible is our oldest, most universal struggle. With his characteristic with the vastly informed historical scope, Roy Porter examines the war fought between disease and doctors on the battle-ground of the flesh from ancient times to the present. He explores the many ingenious ways in which we have attempted to overcome disease through the ages: the changing role of doctors, from ancient healers, apothecaries, and blood-letters to today's professionals; the array of drugs, from Ayurvedic remedies to the launch of Viagra; the advances in surgery, from amputations performed by barbers without anesthetic to today's sophisticated transplants; and the transformation of hospitals from Christian places of convalescence to modern medical powerhouses. Cleverly illustrated with historic line drawings, the chronic ailments of humanity provide vivid anecdotes for Porter's enlightening story of medicine's efforts to prevail over a formidable and ever-changing adversary.

First line

And I looked, and behold a pale horse and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.

Details

  • Title Blood and Guts A Short History of Medicine
  • Author Roy Porter
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition First edition
  • Pages 208
  • Publisher W. W. Norton & Company, New York
  • Date May 2003
  • ISBN 9780393037623
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Blood and Guts: A Short History of Medicine
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Blood and Guts: A Short History of Medicine

by Porter, Roy

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Blood and Guts : A Short History of Medicine
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Blood and Guts : A Short History of Medicine

by Roy Porter

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Blood and Guts: A Short History of Medicine
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Blood and Guts: A Short History of Medicine

by Roy Porter

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Blood and Guts: A Short History of Medicine

Blood and Guts: A Short History of Medicine

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Blood and Guts : A Short History of Medicine

Blood and Guts : A Short History of Medicine

by Roy Porter

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Blood and Guts : A Short History of Medicine

Blood and Guts : A Short History of Medicine

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Blood and Guts: A Short History of Medicine
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Blood and Guts: A Short History of Medicine

by Roy Porter

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Blood and Guts : A Short History of Medicine
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Blood and Guts : A Short History of Medicine

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Blood and Guts : A Short History of Medicine
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Blood and Guts : A Short History of Medicine

by Porter, Roy

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Blood and Guts : A Short History of Medicine
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Blood and Guts : A Short History of Medicine

by Porter, Roy

  • Used
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Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393037623 / 0393037622
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Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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Description:
Norton & Company Limited, W. W. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
$8.78
FREE shipping to USA