Medieval & Early Renaissance Medicine

Nancy G. Siraisi

Medieval & Early Renaissance Medicine

An Introduction to Knowledge and Practice 

 

Medieval Medicine

The author covers the period from the middle of 12^th to 15^th century in the history of medicine. The subject is the practitioners of literate and technical medicine in Europe. Author names three aspects of medicine in this period that has significance for its history.

First aspect is about the role of medicine in the history of science and technology in Western Europe of that period. Greek science transformed the perception of physical universe by medieval doctors. Especial significance have Ptolemaic and Aristotelian theories. In noticed period of time Greek medicine achieved high level of knowledge. Greek medicine development had influenced the process of shaping ideas of human body, animal and plant kingdoms in Medieval and Renaissance times.

The second aspect, covered in the book, is about social and cultural patterns in medicine. Medicine is an occupation, that combines high culture and technical progress within one discipline. In complex society of Middle ages, men and women, clergy and laity, scholastics and herbalists could work as medical practitioners. Despite the great number of medieval beliefs and doctrines in medicine of that time, scientists believe that the fundamental assumptions about human body, its illness and wellness were made in that period.

The third aspect connected to the higher medical education of that time, its institutional, social and intellectual characteristics. In 16th century the creation of new anatomy and physiology takes place; famous contributors are Vesalius and Harvey.

These three aspects are not only interesting things in this book. Author’s aim was not to cover all aspects of medicine in Middle Ages and Renaissance, but to present the most important moments of medicine science history.

Discover the world of 12-16 centuries medical science, first practitioners, their beliefs and theories.  

"Ultrasound of the Male Genitalia", Bruce R. Gilbert

Ultrasound examination

Today’s overview of a book is about modern technologies in medicine. A book called “Ultrasound of the Male Genitalia”, edited by an experienced editor Gilbert, Bruce R. The book has rich illustrations of ultrasound pictures. It will be interesting for physicians of all levels, students and practicing nurses. 

The edition itself is a comprehensive and practical guide with references to perform and to interpret the ultrasound examination of male genitals. 

The first chapter starts with an interesting overview of the history of examinations of male genitals ultrasound. A chapter contains a discussion of ultrasound examinations, provided by professional urologists. 

You can find detailed overview of ultrasound physics with images and illustrations. Patient safety is also considered here. Except common overview of ultrasound physics, there is a chapter devoted to common pathologic cases and ultrasound anatomy. To clarify complex topics a book provides a set of professional illustrations. 

Except examinations results and the influence of ultrasound on human body, there is an overview of future prospects of the sphere, spectral Doppler and innovations in this field. 

As a conclusion, we can say that this edition is a valuable resource. It will be interesting for professional urologists and anthologists, or anyone else interested in male genital ultrasound.