A History of Medicine in 12 Objects

See the fascinating history of medicine brought to life, from its rather primitive beginnings, through to the lifesaving technologies of today.

Award-winning author Dr Carol Cooper takes you on a unique illustrated journey through the 12 objects that have come to define medicine through the ages - from the barbaric and bizarre to the inventive and impressive, this captivating read is peppered with humorous anecdotes.

In this complete history, discover how ill health has been with us for as long as humans have existed, as has the drive to treat and understand it. Over the course of centuries, the ways in which doctors have engaged with sickness has changed drastically, and so too have the tools at their disposal.

And as these tools have morphed and evolved, our knowledge of health and disease has expanded. Medical theories have slowly advanced, allowing people to live longer and healthier lives.

The groundbreaking tools explored in this illustrated collection include:

• The X-Ray
• Leeches
• The Microscope
• The Mask
• Forceps
• The Bone Saw
• The Heart Lung Machine

The history of these medical tools is truly astounding, revealing the true extent of human ingenuity, curiosity, and compassion. This is a book for anyone interested in medical history or looking for a fresh and dynamic take on their specialist subject. With her immense knowledge and dry wit, Dr Cooper delivers a history that is not for the faint of heart...

Carol Cooper is a doctor, journalist, and author. Carol has taught students at Imperial College Medical School since 2005 and was elected President of the Guild of Health Writers in 2014. She was selected to give the prestigious Tom Olsen lecture 2022 ＂Has Covid fractured the way we live?＂ She is both a Fellow and a Tutor of Newnham College, Cambridge, her alma mater. Carol has authored and edited a string of non-fiction books. These include numerous guides on child health and parenting, as well as an award-winning textbook of general practice. More recently, she has turned to writing novels with a medical strand.