The Worst of Evils: The Fight Against Pain
by Thomas Dormandy
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Description
"This book takes the reader around the globe and through the centuries to discover how different cultures have sought to combat and treat physical pain. With colorful stories and sometimes frightening anecdotes, Dr. Thomas Dormandy describes a checkered progression of breakthroughs, haphazard experiments, ignorant attitudes, and surprising developments in human efforts to control pain. Attitudes toward pain and its perception have changed, as have the means of pain relief and scientific show more understanding. Dr. Dormandy offers a multi-cultural history that culminates with a discussion of today's successes - and failures - in the struggle against pain." "The book's exploration is fused with accounts of the development of specific methods of pain relief, including the use of alcohol, plants, hypnosis, religious faith, stoic attitudes, local anesthesia, general anesthesia, and modern analgesics. Dr. Dormandy also looks at the most recent advances in pain clinics and palliative care for patients with terminal disease as well as the prospects for loosening pain's grip in the future."--Jacket. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
This is a comprehensive look at the fight against pain. It goes back to ancient times, and talks about philosophical ideas about pain and pain management as well as discoveries in pain relief and anesthesia. It's a long book, and I found parts of it riveting, parts less so and some aspects confusing. I didn't like the way the author used footnotes -- they often interrupted the flow of the writing while providing little of importance. So, a mixed bag but comprehensive and well researched.
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Author Information
5 Works 202 Members
Thomas Dormandy, M.D., is consultant chemical pathologist and retired professor of chemical pathology, Whittington Hospital, University of London, and Brunel University, London.
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2006
- Epigraph
- Pain is perfect misery; the worst Of evils, and, excessive, overturns all patience -- Milton, Paradise Lost, Bk vi, 1. 462
- Dedication
- For Howard the Margaret Chapman with love
- First words
- On the battlefield of Eylau Surgeon-General Dominique Larrey is trying t operate on the injured foot of a colonel of the Imperial Guard.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Once again, therefore: hope yes; triumph no.
- Blurbers
- Bynum, W.F.
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Science & Nature, General Nonfiction, History
- DDC/MDS
- 616.0472 — Applied Science & Technology Medicine & health Diseases, Allergies, Skin Conditions Pathology; Diseases; Treatment Genetic and hereditary diseases Symptoms as a problem Pain
- LCC
- RB127 .D67 — Medicine Pathology Pathology Manifestations of disease
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 51
- Popularity
- 591,782
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (4.00)
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
- ASINs
- 1
