This book explores aspects of medical history that are usually overlooked by medical historians. It begins with anthropologic literature and accounts of the early explorers which describe sophisticated medical treatments and wound care by Native Americans that were superior to European practices at the time. The book also shows that the Samhita Sushruta, an ancient Indian medical text, and one of Socrates' dialogues answer the age-old question of Hippocrates' dictum against abortion and operating for bladder stones. It then dwells at length on the University of Edinburgh, the shining center of.

• Table of Contents
• About the Author
• Acknowledgements
• Medicine and Surgery from Ancient Times to the 20th Century
• Egyptian Papyri
• Bladder Stones from Ancient India to the World
• Hippocrates: Cutting for Stone and Abortion
• An Arabian Surgeon in Spain
• Percival Pott, an English Gentleman Surgeon
• The University of Edinburgh
• Lister and Antisepsis
• Joseph Bell, Surgeon, Humanitarian and the Model for Sherlock Holmes
• Arthur Conan Doyle
• Max Wilms and his Tumor
• Vignettes from American Surgery
• Ephraigm McDowel a Pioneer Surgeon
• J. Marion Sims, MD: Woman’s Surgeon
• William Stewart Halsted and Surgery of the Biliary Tract
• The Mayo’s, Father and Sons
• Harvey Cushing: Surgeon, Author, Soldier, Historian, 1869-1939
• Mark M. Ravitch, MD: Surgeon, Author, Teacher, Soldier
• Memorable Patients
• Romantic Heart
• The Polish General
• A MIssed Diagnosis
• A Fake
• A Curious Belly Ache
• A Bleeder
• Forever Guilty
• The Ship's Cat
• Reverend Ezra is Sick
• The Navel of the World: Belly Buttons, Innies and Outies
• Questioning 20th Century Medicine
• Ethical Dilemmas
• Conjoined Twins, Ethics and the Media
• The Education of a Surgeon
• Our Sick Health Care System
• Islands as a Microcosm of the World