From the ice age to the genome project
by Michael Kennedy
(Asklepiad Press, 2004)
Discovery of beneficial drugs or other therapy requires some capability for scientific analysis, studying the effects of administration to sick patients and recognizing evidence of improvement. Before such analysis is possible, the natural history of disease and the diagnosis of different maladies must be known. Greek physicians were capable of scientific observation and ancient medicine was mostly a matter of diagnosis and prognostication since useful remedies were few. The physician who was successful was a good observer and able to predict the outcome of the illness. He often took credit for successful outcomes that he had nothing to do with, a characteristic that makes him seem only more modern.
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Comment: What does a book on the history of disease and medicine have to do with health care reform? The simple answer is the well acknowledged concept that those who fail to understand the errors of history are doomed to repeat them. But an even greater value of this book is that it provides a clear perspective of the historical basis of our existing health care system.
Understanding that perspective is essential if we expect to design a truly rational system of reform. As a transition into our contemplation of reform, Dr. Kennedy ends his book with a chapter on the economics of medicine.
There is another quality of this book that I should mention. It is truly enjoyable reading. I read it within view of Old Faithful in Yellowstone. I actually missed several eruptions of the geyser because I was so deeply absorbed in the story that Dr. Kennedy has to tell.
The next time that you are looking for some escape literature, make it worth your while. Read Mike Kennedy’s book. It will be fun, and it will recharge your enthusiasm for reform.