The Middle Ages

studied and wrote about the circulation of the human blood; and
Ambroise Paré (1510–90), who was a leader in surgery. Syphilis
was a major scourge of this time, and the way that society coped
with what seemed to be a new illness is explained. Not all beliefs
of this time were progressive, and the occult sciences of astrology
and alchemy were an important influence in medicine, despite
scientific advances.

Old World and New describes what was happening in the colonies
as America was being settled and examines the illnesses
that beset them and the way in which they were treated. However,
before leaving the Old World, there are several important
figures who will be introduced: Thomas Sydenham (1624–89)
who was known as the English Hippocrates, Herman Boerhaave
(1668–1738) who revitalized the teaching of clinical medicine, and
Johann Peter Frank (1745–1821) who was an early proponent of
the public health movement.
Medicine Becomes a Science begins during the era in which
scientists discovered that bacteria was the cause of illness. Until
150 years ago, scientists had no idea why people became ill. This
volume describes the evolution of “germ theory” and describes
advances that followed quickly after bacteria was identified,
including vaccinations, antibiotics, and an understanding of the
importance of cleanliness. Evidence-based medicine is introduced
as are medical discoveries from the battlefield.
Medicine Today examines the current state of medicine and
reflects how DNA, genetic testing, nanotechnology, and stem cell
research all hold the promise of enormous developments within
the course of the next few years. It provides a framework for teachers
and students to understand better the news stories that are
sure to be written on these various topics: What are stem cells,
and why is investigating them so important to scientists? And
what is nanotechnology? Should genetic testing be permitted?
Each of the issues discussed are placed in context of the ethical
issues surrounding it.
Each volume within the History of Medicine set includes an
index, a chronology of notable events, a glossary of significant terms and concepts, a helpful list of Internet resources, and an
array of historical and current print sources for further research.
Photographs, tables, and line art accompany the text.
I am a science and medical writer with the good fortune to be
assigned this set. For a number of years I have written books in
collaboration with physicians who wanted to share their medi-­
cal knowledge with laypeople, and this has provided an excel-­
lent background in understanding the science and medicine of
good health. In addition, I am a frequent guest at middle and high
schools and at public libraries addressing audiences on the history
of U.S. presidential election days, and this regular experience with
students keeps me fresh when it comes to understanding how best
to convey information to these audiences.
What is happening in the world of medicine and health tech-­
nology today may affect the career choices of many, and it will
affect the health care of all, so the topics are of vital importance.
In addition, the public health policies under consideration (what
medicines to develop, whether to permit stem cell research, what
health records to put online, and how and when to use what types
of technology, etc.) will have a big impact on all people in the
future. These subjects are in the news daily, and students who can
turn to authoritative science volumes on the topic will be better
prepared to understand the story behind the news.