The Healing Hand: Man and Wound in the Ancient World (Commonwealth Fund Publications)

The Healing Hand: Man and Wound in the Ancient World (Commonwealth Fund Publications) by Majno, Guido. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780674383319.

This journey to the beginnings of the physicians art brings to life the civilizations of the ancient world--Egypt of the Pharaohs, Greece at the time of Hippocrates, Rome under the Caesars, the India of Ashoka, and China as Mencius knew it. Probing the documents and artifacts of the ancient world with a scientists mind and a detectives eye, Guido Majno pieces together the difficulties people faced in the effort to survive their injuries, as well as the odd, chilling, or inspiring ways in which they rose to the challenge. In asking whether the early healers might have benefited their patients, or only hastened their trip to the grave, Dr. Majno uncovered surprising answers by testing ancient prescriptions in a modern laboratory. Illustrated with hundreds of photographs, many in full color, and climaxing ten years of work, The Healing Hand is a spectacular recreation of mans attempts to conquer pain and disease.