'Twenty-first century medicine is just the current stage of a never-ending journey of tremendous complexity. Those of us who are fortunate enough to practise in this day and age do so in ways that are themselves the results of huge changes over many centuries - advances in areas such as medication and surgical and imaging techniques and developments in our understanding of the human body and its attendant threats through genetics. Add to that list the huge social and societal changes in public health, attitudes to illness and changes in ethical viewpoints, and we find ourselves at the current forefront of medical evolution but nowhere near the end of this particular journey.' From the Foreword by Paul Lazarus This fascinating book brings to life the history of medicine in Britain since 1600. Throughout the historical account the authors cover mainstream clinical issues but also make reference to the importance of literature and art, presenting a wide-ranging view of the past. It also incorporates milestones in other cultures and epochs, where appropriate, for a balanced overview. The concise, self-contained sections are a joy to read and can be easily dipped into. The majority of chapters include suggested questions for students, assisting group discussion. It is ideal for medical and healthcare course organisers, lecturers and tutors who require a rapid resource of information in their subject area - be it cardiovascular disease, emergency medicine or child protection - to provide context, interest and entertainment for their students. It is also highly recommended as the basis for a programme of seminars on the history of medicine.
About the Author: LISETTA LOVETT BSc, DHMSA, FRCPsych Honorary Senior Lecturer School of Humanities, Keele University and ALANNAH TOMKINS DPhil, FRHS Senior Lecturer in History School of Humanities, Keele University Lisetta Lovett is a retired National Health Service consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer in medical education. She undertook a diploma in the history of medicine while a medical student at Guy's Hospital. She has published on the 'madhouse keeper' Thomas Bakewell and two online modules on the history of mental health legislation for the Royal College of Psychiatrists. She has written a chapter for a book about the neuronovel, Syndrome Syndrome, and co- authored a book on medical ethics. She introduced medical humanities to Keele University's School of Medicine and made provision for a wide range of titles for studentselected components. She continues to co- organise a master's module on medical humanities for qualifi ed doctors. She is now an honorary senior lecturer in the School of Humanities at Keele. Alannah Tomkins is a senior lecturer in history at Keele University. She has been researching and teaching the history of medicine for the last 20 years and has published on infi rmaries, man- midwives and mad doctors. She has taught on the Keele Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery programme since 2003 and offers medical humanities student- selected components to undergraduates.