"How are illnesses diagnosed? What is cancer? Why are some pandemics so deadly? This book answers these questions and many more, exploring and explaining the breakthroughs and discoveries that have shaped our modern-day understanding of medicine and helped us protect and promote our health. Written in plain English, 'The medicine book' cuts through the jargon and is packed with pithy explanations of the most important milestones in medical history, with step by step diagrams and witty illustrations that untangle knotty concepts."--Back cover.

Includes index.