Overview

This two-volume work is a comprehensive history of military medicine in the Western world. The first volume deals with the period beginning with Sumer (4000 BC) and concludes with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453. The second volume begins with the Renaissance, the occasion of the Western rebirth of the empirical habit of inquiry that made possible the eventual development of scientific medicine, and ends with the Vietnam War. Within each volume, the analysis is organized chronologically. Since the transfer of information or practices relevant to military medicine were rare, prior to the Renaissance the first volume examines the various civilizations as individual detailed case studies. Subsequent numerous instances of cross-national transfer of information and practices are reflected in the organization of the second volume, which still does not lose sight of the fact that, until very modern times the various national efforts at providing military medical care remained sufficiently unique. Each volume ends with a bibliography and a general subject index. These volumes should prove of considerable use to students and scholars alike in the disciplines of world history, military studies, and medical history. It is hoped that the Gabriel-Metz undertaking will stimulate an intensive re-examination of the course of military medical history.

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9780313277467

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Reviews

Throughout history the state of medical knowledge has had an effect on the course of warfare, and it has in turn been influenced by medical advances brought about by resources marshaled to mount military campaigns. Gabriel and Metz provide a two-volume chronological treatment of the history of military medicine from its origins to the present. Volume 1 covers the period beginning with Sumer (4000 B.C.) and ends with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453. Volume 2 begins with the Renaissance and ends with the Vietnam War. The first two chapters of each volume give an overall analysis of military medical problems of the rest of the volume and are quite interesting. Remaining chapters begin with an overview of the state of general medicine followed by that of military medicine of the period covered. . . . It is . . . informative, clearly written, and, interesting reading. -Choice Perceptive and gracefully written. . . . A superb history book. -New England Journal of Medicine ?Perceptive and gracefully written. . . . A superb history book.?-New England Journal of Medicine ?Another frequently overlooked component of military history is the medical dimension, considering that until recently disease usually killed more soldiers than battle. A useful corrective is th[is] two-volume set by Gabriel and Metz. . . . The discussion is wide-ranging, and it includes the evolution of treatment for disease and injury, which changed (not always for the better) as the nature of weapons and warfare changed. At times frightening, at times heroic, the story is always well told. Because of its comprehensiveness, this is now a standard work of military history.?-Armed Forces Journal International ?Throughout history the state of medical knowledge has had an effect on the course of warfare, and it has in turn been influenced by medical advances brought about by resources marshaled to mount military campaigns. Gabriel and Metz provide a two-volume chronological treatment of the history of military medicine from its origins to the present. Volume 1 covers the period beginning with Sumer (4000 B.C.) and ends with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453. Volume 2 begins with the Renaissance and ends with the Vietnam War. The first two chapters of each volume give an overall analysis of military medical problems of the rest of the volume and are quite interesting. Remaining chapters begin with an overview of the state of general medicine followed by that of military medicine of the period covered. . . . It is . . . informative, clearly written, and, interesting reading.?-Choice Another frequently overlooked component of military history is the medical dimension, considering that until recently disease usually killed more soldiers than battle. A useful corrective is th[is] two-volume set by Gabriel and Metz. . . . The discussion is wide-ranging, and it includes the evolution of treatment for disease and injury, which changed (not always for the better) as the nature of weapons and warfare changed. At times frightening, at times heroic, the story is always well told. Because of its comprehensiveness, this is now a standard work of military history. -Armed Forces Journal International It is this history [of military medicine], so central to that of warfare, that Richard Gabriel and Karen Metz survey in this invaluable book. . . . No one has hitherto attempted . . . a comprehensive treatment of the subject from the earliest times to the present day and from all civilizations. To have written such a study is Gabriel's and Metz's achievement. It will become an automatic source of reference for all military historians, for medical historians interested in the parallel development of military and civil medicine, and for anyone else concerned with this aspect of warfare through the ages. -John Keegan from the Foreword

It is this history [of military medicine], so central to that of warfare, that Richard Gabriel and Karen Metz survey in this invaluable book. . . . No one has hitherto attempted . . . a comprehensive treatment of the subject from the earliest times to the present day and from all civilizations. To have written such a study is Gabriel's and Metz's achievement. It will become an automatic source of reference for all military historians, for medical historians interested in the parallel development of military and civil medicine, and for anyone else concerned with this aspect of warfare through the ages. -John Keegan from the Foreword

Throughout history the state of medical knowledge has had an effect on the course of warfare, and it has in turn been influenced by medical advances brought about by resources marshaled to mount military campaigns. Gabriel and Metz provide a two-volume chronological treatment of the history of military medicine from its origins to the present. Volume 1 covers the period beginning with Sumer (4000 B.C.) and ends with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453. Volume 2 begins with the Renaissance and ends with the Vietnam War. The first two chapters of each volume give an overall analysis of military medical problems of the rest of the volume and are quite interesting. Remaining chapters begin with an overview of the state of general medicine followed by that of military medicine of the period covered. . . . It is . . . informative, clearly written, and, interesting reading. -Choice Perceptive and gracefully written. . . . A superb history book. -New England Journal of Medicine ?Another frequently overlooked component of military history is the medical dimension, considering that until recently disease usually killed more soldiers than battle. A useful corrective is th[is] two-volume set by Gabriel and Metz. . . . The discussion is wide-ranging, and it includes the evolution of treatment for disease and injury, which changed (not always for the better) as the nature of weapons and warfare changed. At times frightening, at times heroic, the story is always well told. Because of its comprehensiveness, this is now a standard work of military history.?-Armed Forces Journal International ?Throughout history the state of medical knowledge has had an effect on the course of warfare, and it has in turn been influenced by medical advances brought about by resources marshaled to mount military campaigns. Gabriel and Metz provide a two-volume chronological treatment of the history of military medicine from its origins to the present. Volume 1 covers the period beginning with Sumer (4000 B.C.) and ends with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453. Volume 2 begins with the Renaissance and ends with the Vietnam War. The first two chapters of each volume give an overall analysis of military medical problems of the rest of the volume and are quite interesting. Remaining chapters begin with an overview of the state of general medicine followed by that of military medicine of the period covered. . . . It is . . . informative, clearly written, and, interesting reading.?-Choice ?Perceptive and gracefully written. . . . A superb history book.?-New England Journal of Medicine Another frequently overlooked component of military history is the medical dimension, considering that until recently disease usually killed more soldiers than battle. A useful corrective is th[is] two-volume set by Gabriel and Metz. . . . The discussion is wide-ranging, and it includes the evolution of treatment for disease and injury, which changed (not always for the better) as the nature of weapons and warfare changed. At times frightening, at times heroic, the story is always well told. Because of its comprehensiveness, this is now a standard work of military history. -Armed Forces Journal International It is this history [of military medicine], so central to that of warfare, that Richard Gabriel and Karen Metz survey in this invaluable book. . . . No one has hitherto attempted . . . a comprehensive treatment of the subject from the earliest times to the present day and from all civilizations. To have written such a study is Gabriel's and Metz's achievement. It will become an automatic source of reference for all military historians, for medical historians interested in the parallel development of military and civil medicine, and for anyone else concerned with this aspect of warfare through the ages. -John Keegan from the Foreword

Throughout history the state of medical knowledge has had an effect on the course of warfare, and it has in turn been influenced by medical advances brought about by resources marshaled to mount military campaigns. Gabriel and Metz provide a two-volume chronological treatment of the history of military medicine from its origins to the present. Volume 1 covers the period beginning with Sumer (4000 B.C.) and ends with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453. Volume 2 begins with the Renaissance and ends with the Vietnam War. The first two chapters of each volume give an overall analysis of military medical problems of the rest of the volume and are quite interesting. Remaining chapters begin with an overview of the state of general medicine followed by that of military medicine of the period covered. . . . It is . . . informative, clearly written, and, interesting reading. -Choice Perceptive and gracefully written. . . . A superb history book. -New England Journal of Medicine ?Throughout history the state of medical knowledge has had an effect on the course of warfare, and it has in turn been influenced by medical advances brought about by resources marshaled to mount military campaigns. Gabriel and Metz provide a two-volume chronological treatment of the history of military medicine from its origins to the present. Volume 1 covers the period beginning with Sumer (4000 B.C.) and ends with the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453. Volume 2 begins with the Renaissance and ends with the Vietnam War. The first two chapters of each volume give an overall analysis of military medical problems of the rest of the volume and are quite interesting. Remaining chapters begin with an overview of the state of general medicine followed by that of military medicine of the period covered. . . . It is . . . informative, clearly written, and, interesting reading.?-Choice ?Perceptive and gracefully written. . . . A superb history book.?-New England Journal of Medicine ?Another frequently overlooked component of military history is the medical dimension, considering that until recently disease usually killed more soldiers than battle. A useful corrective is th[is] two-volume set by Gabriel and Metz. . . . The discussion is wide-ranging, and it includes the evolution of treatment for disease and injury, which changed (not always for the better) as the nature of weapons and warfare changed. At times frightening, at times heroic, the story is always well told. Because of its comprehensiveness, this is now a standard work of military history.?-Armed Forces Journal International Another frequently overlooked component of military history is the medical dimension, considering that until recently disease usually killed more soldiers than battle. A useful corrective is th[is] two-volume set by Gabriel and Metz. . . . The discussion is wide-ranging, and it includes the evolution of treatment for disease and injury, which changed (not always for the better) as the nature of weapons and warfare changed. At times frightening, at times heroic, the story is always well told. Because of its comprehensiveness, this is now a standard work of military history. -Armed Forces Journal International It is this history [of military medicine], so central to that of warfare, that Richard Gabriel and Karen Metz survey in this invaluable book. . . . No one has hitherto attempted . . . a comprehensive treatment of the subject from the earliest times to the present day and from all civilizations. To have written such a study is Gabriel's and Metz's achievement. It will become an automatic source of reference for all military historians, for medical historians interested in the parallel development of military and civil medicine, and for anyone else concerned with this aspect of warfare through the ages. -John Keegan from the Foreword

Author Information

RICHARD A. GABRIEL is Professor of Politics, Department of National Security and Strategy, at U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. He is the author of twenty-five books and scores of articles on political, military, and historical subjects. KAREN S. METZ has held research librarian and collection development positions at the University of Michigan Medical Center and at St. Anselm College. She is a member of the Academy of Health Information Professionals and has been consulting author to medical reference books. Gabriel and Metz's previous collaboration, From Sumer to Rome: The Military Capabilities of Ancient Armies, was published in 1991 by Greenwood Press.

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