Stressing major themes in the history of medicine, this Second Edition explores the events, methodologies, and theories that shaped medical practices in decades past and in modern clinical practice. It highlights practices of civilizations around the world and research of pioneering scientists and physicians who contributed to our current understanding of health and disease. New sections cover preventive and alternative medicine, medical education for women, miasma and contagion theories, the threat of epidemic disease, changing patterns of morbidity and mortality, public health and sanitary reforms, the high cost of medical care, diseases of affluence and aging, and the emergence of new diseases.