Health and Wellness in Antiquity through the Middle Ages (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780313378652)

Early medical practices are not just a historical curiosity, but real stories about people and health that may teach us much about the 21st century. This intriguing volume offers a comparative examination of early medicine and health care in regions as varied as ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, China, the Islamic world, and medieval Europe.

Health and Wellness in Antiquity through the Middle Ages compares and contrasts health-care practices in seven different cultures from around the world. In considering the range of medical practitioners in each society, and the kinds of health care they provided, it examines the development of a written medical tradition, the methods of medical education, the practice of surgery, and the theories and practices of pharmacy. Other topics include the application of medicine in specific contexts, such as the treatment of women, children, and those with mental illness.

Another important theme explored is the impact of religion and state institutions on the development, implementation, and results of medical care as experienced by real people in real life. Throughout, the book offers an international historical perspective, which allows for greater comparative and critical understanding of how different cultural beliefs influenced the development and management of health care.

Author: William York
ISBN-10: 0313378657
ISBN-13: 9780313378652
Publisher: Greenwood
Language: English
Published: 08/17/2012
Pages: 272
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.32lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.10w x 0.90d

Review Citation(s):
Booklist 12/01/2012 pg. 40
Choice 02/01/2013