Synopsis
Defines holistic medicine and discusses its treatment of the patient, its use in practice, and its future in health care.
School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up Gordon uncritically presents a one-sided view of a controversial trend in medicine. In an easy style, he describes some of the techniques of holistic medicine, the practitioners, and the role of the patient. In his zeal to convert readers, he neglects to tell them when scientific studies have shown that previous practices do not work, e.g., homeopathy was first proven ineffective by Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1842. Gordon does not provide conclusive evidence that these practices work; he may cite a study, but not the contradicting work. He mentions Linus Pauling's studies of large doses of Vitamin C to slow the growth of cancer but does not tell readers about all of the studies that have refuted these studies. Black-and-white photographs, drawings, and diagrams illustrate the text. There aren't any other books on this subject for teenage readers, but this biased and incomplete book does not fill the gap. Martha Gordon, South Salem Library, N.Y.