Against the backdrop of an unprecedented concern for health today, The Cambridge Illustrated History of Medicine not only surveys the rise of medicine in the West from earliest times to the present day, but also glimpses into the future. It is written by a team of experts coordinated by one of the most distinguished and prolific writers and researchers into the history of medicine, Roy Porter. Both authoritative and accessible, this book is the only serious choice for a reader wanting a lively and informative illustrated introduction to medical history.