The Art and Practice of Western Medicine in the Early Nineteenth Century

Book excerpt: "The main problem of leech therapy related to excessive bleeding following the removal of leeches... Another problematical situation was the inadvertent escape of leeches into the throat or stomach." The period 1800 to 1825 saw the beginnings of scientific exploration and debate, most of the basis for later developments. This learned overview provides fascinating information about beliefs in galvanism and bioelectric machinery, blood-letting, cesareans without anesthesia, the influence of weather and the moon, drugs, vaccination, more. Heavily illustrated.