Health and Medicine through History [3 volumes]: From Ancient Practices to 21st-Century Innovations

This three-volume set provides a comprehensive yet concise global exploration of health and medicine from ancient times to the present day, helping readers to trace the development of concepts and practices around the world.

From archaeological evidence of trepanning during prehistoric times to medieval Europe’s conception of the four humors to present-day epidemics of diabetes and heart disease, health concerns and medical practices have changed considerably throughout the centuries.

Health and Medicine through History: From Ancient Practices to 21st-Century Innovations is broken down into four distinct time periods: antiquity through the Middle Ages, the 15th through 18th centuries, the 19th century, and the 20th century and beyond. Each of these sections features the same 13-chapter structure, touching on a diverse array of topics such as women’s health, medical institutions, common diseases, and representations of sickness and healing in the arts.

Coverage is global, with the histories of the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania compared and contrasted throughout. The book also features a large collection of primary sources, including document excerpts and statistical data. These resources offer readers valuable insights and foster analytical and critical thinking skills.

Offers a comprehensive yet concise view of the subject, covering all of human history and all inhabited regions of the world within approachable sections

Allows readers to trace the evolution of different aspects of health and medicine, helping them to understand why and how our understanding of health has changed over time

Includes a curated collection of over 100 primary sources to give readers a first-hand look at many aspects of health during different historical time periods around the world

Follows a standardized chapter structure that makes finding information on specific aspects of health and medicine and comparing/contrasting these aspects from one time period to another easy