The Importance of Having a Brain Tales from the History of Medicine

The fascinating world of the history of medicine

Navigate through the rich and delightful history of one of man's oldest of creeds-the medical profession (not the other, its less illustrious competitor). Told with a perfect blend of historical accuracy, wit, and humor, these assorted stories from the annals of medicine are informative, illuminating, and entertaining. This is a medical history book in small doses.

In this book you will discover:

-Why do we call smallpox "small"?

-Was Julius Caesar called "Caesar" because he was delivered through a c-section?

-Who was the British clergyman who measured blood pressure for the first time, and the other whose discovery led to the development of aspirin?

-Why did a doctor in the early 20th century exhibit premature babies in circuses, boardwalks, and country fairs in U.S. cities?

-What led a 16th century anatomist to discover that men and women have the same number of ribs?

-Why did a 19th century Boston surgeon cry out, "Gentlemen, this is no humbug!"?

-Why did a German psychiatrist intentionally inject blood from malaria patients into the arms of his psychiatry patients, and what was his reward for this brutal therapy?

-What disease killed more people in the 20th century alone than all of battles, armed conflicts, and wars of the 20th century combined?

-Why do we call blood banks "banks"?