Medicine

This graphic novel explores the fascinating history of medicine, detailing significant breakthroughs and discoveries that have shaped healthcare over centuries.

In the Middle Ages, surgery was a practice undertaken by barbers, who were adept with sharp instruments. This unique intersection of grooming and medicine set the stage for future developments. A pivotal moment occurred in the mid-19th century when a grand exhibition showcasing the effects of laughing gas led to the serendipitous discovery of anaesthesia. This breakthrough revolutionized surgical practices and improved patient care significantly. Furthermore, in the late 19th century, Louis Pasteur made a monumental advancement in vaccination research, thanks to an unexpected decision by his assistant to take a vacation, which ultimately changed the course of medical history.

Medicine: A Graphic History by Jean-Noël Fabiani is a captivating exploration of these significant episodes and many more from the annals of medicine. As a surgeon and professor of medical history, Fabiani weaves together narratives of chance breakthroughs and hard-fought scientific discoveries, presenting them in an engaging graphic novel format. The book is not only informative but also visually appealing, making complex historical events accessible to a broader audience.

Spanning centuries and traversing continents, Medicine: A Graphic History offers a fast-paced yet rigorously detailed account of the evolution of medical practices. From blood-letting to organ donation, and from x-rays to prosthetics, this work highlights the remarkable journey of human ingenuity in the field of medicine, celebrating the triumphs and challenges that have shaped healthcare as we know it today.