Devils, Drugs, and Doctors: The Story of the Science of Healing from Medicine Men to Doctor

Devils, Drugs, and Doctors: The Story of the Science of Healing from Medicine Men to Doctor

Step into the riveting, untamed world of medicine’s long and often shocking history. In Devils, Drugs, and Doctors , Yale professor Howard W. Haggard traces the extraordinary—and sometimes grotesque—evolution of healing practices from prehistoric superstitions to the birth of modern scientific medicine. First published in 1929 and now republished for a new generation, this compelling narrative examines the painful origins of obstetrics, surgery, public health, and epidemic control with rich historical detail and biting commentary. Explore how childbirth was once clouded by myths, midwives battled for legitimacy, and revered physicians mixed faith with fear. Witness the rise of medical giants like Hippocrates, Galen, Vesalius, and Lister, as well as the crude but passionate efforts of surgeons, shamans, quacks, and visionaries across the centuries. From the Black Death to syphilis, from battlefield surgery to exorcisms and miracle cures, Haggard lays bare the slow triumph of rational science over superstition and charlatanism. Vivid, unflinching, and often humorous, this book isn’t just a history—it’s a dramatic chronicle of humankind’s relentless fight against pain, disease, and death. For readers fascinated by medical history, cultural anthropology, and the gritty roots of modern healthcare, Devils, Drugs, and Doctors is a must-read classic brought back to life.