Medicine

This illustrated book which is part of the "20th Century" series, looks at the many changes and developments that have taken place in the medical field during this century in different areas of the world.;Many diseases that were fatal in the past have been brought under control and pioneering new techniques in fields as diverse as microsurgery and mental health have greatly altered our expectations about the quality of our lives. This book describes the century's major medical advances and the effect they have had on our habits and behaviour, while at the same time remembering those instances where progress has had tragic consequences, as in the case of thalidomide.;The author goes on to look at the enormous challenges which remain, from the provision of adequate health care in the developing world to the fight against AIDS.;The work is intended to provide background reading for GCSE studies and Standard Grade in Scotland.;Jenny Bryan was formerly science editor for the "General Practitioner" magazine and medical correspondent for "The Sunday Telegraph". She is the author of "Drugs for All" and "Living with Cancer", and has won medical journalism awards in 1980 and 1983.