Medicine

School Library Journal

Gr 7-10-- A basic overview that discusses the history of medicine, starting with prehistoric times and highlighting important people and developments to the present. A brief presentation of anatomy and physiology is accompanied by labeled diagrams except for the reproductive system, which is described but not pictured. Diseases are discussed in general terms according to their causes, and current medical practice and ongoing research is explained. Attractive color photographs and drawings illustrate the text. Fradin is firm about dangers of smoking, but cautiously downplays the seriousness of AIDS. He discusses the ethical problems of genetic engineering and organ transplants, but says nothing about pregnancy and abortion. While more comprehensive than Disease and Medicine (Facts on File, 1987) by Irene Fekete and Ward Dorrington Ward, multi-volume series by Watts (``Venture'') and/or Chelsea House (``Encyclopedia of Health'') give more complete information on specific topics. --Martha Gordon, South Salem Library, NY