A Short History of Medicine

by Frank Gonzalez-Crussi

In this lively, learned, and wholly engrossing volume, F. González-Crussi presents a brief yet authoritative five-hundred-year history of the science, the philosophy, and the controversies of modern medicine. While this illuminating work mainly explores Western medicine over the past five centuries, González-Crussi also describes how modern medicine’s roots extend to both Greco-Roman antiquity and Eastern medical traditions.

Covered here in engaging detail are the birth of anatomy and the practice of dissections; the transformation of surgery from a gruesome art to a sophisticated medical specialty; a short history of infectious diseases; the evolution of the diagnostic process; advances in obstetrics and anesthesia; and modern psychiatric therapies and the challenges facing organized medicine today. González-Crussi’s approach to these and other topics stems from his professed belief that the history of medicine isn’t just a continuum of scientific achievement but is deeply influenced by the personalities of the men and women who made or implemented these breakthroughs. And, as we learn, this field’s greatest practitioners were, like the rest of us, human beings with flaws, weaknesses, and limitations–including some who were scoundrels.

Insightful, informed, and at times controversial in its conclusions, A Short History of Medicine offers an exceptional introduction to the major and many minor facets of its subject. Written by a renowned author and educator, this book gives us the very essence of humankind’s search to mitigate suffering, save lives, and unearth the mysteries of the human animal.

Praise for F. González-Crussi

“What Oliver Sacks does for the mind, González-Crussi [does] for the eye in this captivating set of philosophical meditations on the relationship between the viewer and the viewed.”
–Publishers Weekly , on On Seeing

“[González-Crussi fuses] science, literature, and personal history into highly civilized artifacts.”
– The Washington Post, on There Is a World Elsewhere

Genres: History, Medicine, Science, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Medical

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Jason Koivu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent starter book for the ignorant, which is me. A Short History of Medicine lays out the basics of medicine nice and concisely from early history to today. The summary explanations are plain and simple, making it easy for the uninitiated to grasp. Key historical figures are illuminated just enough to show their accomplishments, as well as their failures and infamous dabblings, without ever getting too in-depth and bogging down the narrative flow. It makes for a great leaping off point for those who wish to get their bearings and then move on to a deeper learning.

[Matej · Rating 5 out of 5]

Názov presne vystihuje samotnú knihu. Stručne prevedie dejinami medicíny a napriek limitovanému rozsahu popíše úsvit anatómie, chirurgie a ukáže ako sa menilo chápanie choroby a úloha lekára v liečbe. Samostatné kapitoly sú venované zmenám v diagnostike a terapii. Napriek stručnosti mi kniha vôbec neprišla povrchná a rozsiahli poznámkový aparát ponúka dostatok príležitostí na doštudovanie.
V aktuálnom covidovom období pôsobí mrazivo úvaha v kapitole venovanej infekčným chorobám, kde autor (publikované v roku 2008!) konštatuje "...ak história a biologické fakty neklamú, čaká nás ďalšie prepuknutie chrípky. Otázkou je kedy a kde sa to stane. Je dôležité rátať s tým, ale pripravení na túto pohromu nie sme".
Oceňujem popísanie jednotlivých smerov v medicíne cez predstavenie dobových protikladov ako vitazlimus vs mechanizmus (životná energia ako súčasť tkanív a orgánov v protiklade k funkčnej organizácii založenej na fyzických a chemických procesoch), či ontologické vs konceptuálne chápanie choroby (choroba ako jasne definovaná entita s konkrétnymi príčinami a biologickým pozadím v protiklade s označením choroby ako konceptuálneho menovateľa množstva spoločných javov, ktorý slúži na výmenu myšlienok bez naviazania na skutočnú nezávislú realitu). Vďaka tomuto výkladu dáva stará teória 4 štiav, či praktiky ako púšťanie žilou zrazu zmysel. Na miestach, kde autor rozoberá psychiatrické choroby mi napadá myšlienka, či prebiehajúca debata o duševných chorobách neprechádza historickou fázou, ktorú má taká interná medicína už dávno za sebou.

[Todd Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Short History of Medicine by Mexican physician Francisco González-Crussí lives up to the title. It covers various developments in medicine from the time of the ancient Greeks to the present day.

Needless to say, some progress has been made in the intervening years. Medicine, once dominated by superstition and magical thinking, has been transformed into an evidence-based scientific discipline … and yet, this transformation is woefully incomplete. Homeopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture, alternative medicine, kinesiology, aromatherapy, Ayurveda, chelation therapy, crystal healing, cupping, detoxification, ear candling, energy medicine, faith healing, fasting, iridology, magnet therapy, naturopathy, reiki, reflexology, Rolfing, therapeutic touch, traditional Chinese medicine and a host of other pseudoscientific practices remain wildly popular despite the fact that there is no evidence of their effectiveness (yet considerable evidence of harm, even if that harm is largely financial in nature).

While A Short History of Medicine does a nice job describing both the correct and fallacious theories that have driven medical treatment over the ages, I thought González-Crussí did a rather poor job in debunking the ubiquitous medical hogwash of our present time (largely resorting to a ‘more evidence is needed’ stance, despite the fact that considerable evidence of ineffectiveness already exists). A missed opportunity, to be sure.

[D.C. Lozar · Rating 5 out of 5]

We Learn from History if our History is Well Written. This is a Fantastic Book!
As a Family Practice Physician deeply concerned about the interposition of technology between my profession and the patients I care for, I found F. Gonzalez-Crussi's, "A Short History of Medicine," highly informative and thought provoking. Guiding us down a well-plotted and beautifully narrated path, Mr. Gonzalez-Crussi takes the time to fully explore each step of medicine's evolution. He points out the key players, the charlatans as well as the heroes, and treats all with respect. I've read a great many books on medical history and can say unequivocally that this is one of the best. As a fellow author, D.C. Lozar, I know how hard it is to keep an audience informed, engaged, and actively thinking, and I enthusiastically recommend this book. Great Job.

[Jack Reifenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, digestible. Hard to imagine practicing without even simple modern technology. I wonder what assumptions we’re operating under that will be ridiculed in a few hundred years.

Wish there was a little more speculation/reflection. The last chapter opened up lots of engaging questions, but I guess that doesn’t fit the goal of the book.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read that quickly summarizes how modern medicine came about

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comprehensive and insightful exposition on the history of humanities second oldest profession. The author chases the zeitgeist of medicine through the passage of time, pausing now and then to shine a torch on philosophy, sociology and mythology and their impact on the medical arts. Without sneering or being dismissive, practices ostensibly barbaric are rendered comprehensible and even sensible to the modern mind. From greco-roman tradition, the darkened alleys of monastaries, the exuberance of the enlightenment, the repression of the victorian era the triumphs and tribulations of surgery, obstetrics, cardiology, toxicology and epidemiology are systematically discussed. Although comprehensive in its scope, I thought a discussion of arabic/eastern medicine would be merited, which although included is treated as a mere footnote to the edifice of western medicine.

[Katherine Badbada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very pleased with the fact that this book really tells the history of medicine in a light read. Although there is so much content to cover with just medicine, the book tells the most known and important pieces that we probably have background knowledge of. It expands in detail of certain content from founders of cures to their uses for humans. Because this is a history book, it wouldn't tell you more about the medicine itself. Most likely you'll read about how it's uses went into effect from centuries to present day. I would recommend this to those who want to seek more in their history of medicine. Another reason I enjoyed the book is that it's easy to understand because the information addressed is easy to process so you'll remember. Besides that, it's a great read that some of the methods used to cure is quite interesting and you've never heard of.

[JuliAnna · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far, "short" is the key term. It seems to be lightly skipping across the history of medicine's greatest hits. Each chapter is devoted to a different area of medicine (i.e., infectious diseases, obstetrics, anatomical knowlege). This is definitely a book based on breadth rather than depth. In addition, it is largely a great man approach to history providing only broadest sense of the socio-cultural context in which various discoveries were made. But, Gonzalez-Crussi does provide enough sense of how and why medicine was studied in the way it was at various times in history and how different discoveries were related to provide insight into the history of medicine. In addition, he is free with entertaining anecdotes to keep things from getting dry.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

If at times it did feel like the forest was lost for the trees, with longer biographies and explanations of individuals, I did appreciate its truly historical understanding, the broad overview it provided (with chapters on anatomy, surgery, procreation, pestilence, diagnostic tools, and therapy, among others) and its critical approach to modern medicine. While clearly acknowledging the unprecedented gains of the 20th century, he spent more time in previous centuries, especially the 16th to the 19th, and offered sharp critique of the industrialization (not his exact term) of medicine in the late 20th century. He also offered a humanistic history, not an inevitable march of scientific progress, so while the details sometimes were too specific, it was a compelling ride overall.

[Graychin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t imagine a book on this particular subject that I would enjoy more than I did this one. Gonzalez-Crussi is a terrific collector of anecdotes, has a fluent conversational style, and a charming light-philosophical method of plumbing the folly – and progress amidst folly – that is the history of western medicine. There is a brief, fascinating discussion of ancient Greek and Roman medicine, and there are forays into the modern era too, but he spends most of his time (with entertaining and educational results) in the 17th and 18th centuries. Never thought you’d find a history of medicine fun reading? Well, you’re wrong.

[Allison Reimers · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good. Who knew that when nitrous oxide was discovered there were 'laughing gas parties' where people inhaled the stuff just for fun? The chapter on the diagnostic process got a bit tedious. I needed this info because I am writing a book and I was hoping for more on medieval medicine.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

From this book I learned that we owe everything to the poor sods on who early scientists performed crude and necessary experiments. No doubt we'll have the same sentiments in 200 years.

A fascinating read.

[Chris Rock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. There were some interesting things in it. Not recommended for people who don't know anything about medicine though, as it uses a lot of technical terms without explaining them (e.g., renal, exanguinate)

[Rini · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only problem I had with this book is that it was organized by topic rather than strictly chronologically. I suppose that makes sense when dealing with such a vast and complicated topic, but it gave me the impression that I was reading certain things several times.

[Ms. Phinnia · Rating 4 out of 5]

exactly what it says on the tin. good bedtime reading - nice short chapters. i wish the section on specific diseases were longer but i'm kind of macabre like that.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A WAY TOO SHORT history of medicine. Often great discoverers were mentioned only by name. But I am reminded of how grateful I am to be alive today, instead of any previous time in history

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well done. I was so interested that I wished it had been longer.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting and well-written book. I enjoyed it very much!

[Elaine Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. I was especially impressed with the information regarding the views of medicine and science from different cultures.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

broad strokes. interesting highlights.

[Angela Fader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and concise; not bogged down with medical terminology making it an easy read for anyone!

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very educational and I found it very relevant, I highly suggest it for anyone thinking about or currently attending medical education.

[Matea · Rating 4 out of 5]

na mahove jako zanimljivo, ali sam ipak očekivala malo više od te knjige..