The enjoyment of comfortable and undisturbed sleep, is certainly to be ranked amongst the greatest blessings which heaven has bestowed on mankind; and it may be considered as one of the best criterions of a person enjoying perfect health. On the contrary, any disturbance which occurs in the enjoyment of this invaluable blessing, may be considered a decisive proof of some derangement existing in the animal economy, and a consequent deviation from the standard of health. Indeed it is astonis...

20 incredible years that revolutionised our understanding of disease. Breathtakingly rapid, the discovery that germs cause disease was both revolutionary and rich in human drama. John Waller describes the scientific virtuosity, outstanding intellectual courage and bitter personal rivalries that gave birth to this exceptional sea-change in scientific thinking.

A Treatise on the Incubus, or Night-Mare, Disturbed Sleep, Terrific Dreams and Nocturnal VisionsThere must however be some reason for the universal opinion that it always attacks persons lying on the back. I was for a long time of opinion myself, that I was always lying in that position when the paroxysm came on, but as the disease gained strength, and the paroxysms hung more pertinaciously upon me, I became more perfectly awake, so as to be able to discover more a...

General practitioners are moving into a more central and accountable role in managing NHS resources. To achieve this they need to monitor, understand and plan the everyday services they offer. This book shows the reader how. It provides insights and practical suggestions on how demand can be met effectively and efficiently. It shows how to improve service provision and guidance is given on how to reduce the stressful working conditions of GPs, nurses and other practice staff. Illustrated w...

The concept of heredity is fundamental to how we see ourselves and others. It goes far beyond the obvious continuity of physical traits across generations. We routinely ascribe similarities in personality, intellect, outlook, and aptitude between family members to what's passed down in sperm and eggs. The simple idea that children take after their ancestors has long been central to science and medicine and to the breeding of plants and animals. It has also been used for ideological purpose...

The great biologist Louis Pasteur suppressed 'awkward' data because it didn't support the case he was making. John Snow, the 'first epidemiologist' was doing nothing others had not done before. Gregor Mendel, the supposed 'founder of genetics' never grasped the fundamental principles of 'Mendelian' genetics. Joseph Lister's famously clean hospital wards were actually notorious dirty. And Einstein's general relativity was only 'confirmed' in 1919 because an eminent British scientist cooked ...

A seventeen-year-old chevalier meets a girl being sent to a convent against her will, and throws over his family, his studies and eventually his honor to keep her — repeatedly, each time worse. Prévost was a Benedictine who twice fled his order; the book was burned in Paris and read everywhere, and gave opera two of its warhorses. Its cruelty is that neither lover can be blamed and neither can stop. Its 77 original illustrations have been carefully restored and coloured for this edition.

The Girl with the Golden Eyes by Honoré de Balzac is a dark, intense tale of passion, power, and deception set in the glittering yet corrupt world of Parisian high society. Part of Balzac’s La Comédie Humaine, the novella tells the story of Henri de Marsay, a wealthy and cynical young man who becomes infatuated with the mysterious and stunningly beautiful Paquita Valdes. As Henri pursues her, he is drawn into a dangerous web of secrets, lies, and forbidden love that ultimately leads to a s...

Medicine is not only a science; it is also an art. It does not consist of compounding pills and plasters; it deals with the very processes of life, which must be understood before they may be guided.' Paracelsus (1493-1541)For thousands of years, people have sought ways to overcome the diseases and disorders of the body, with methods ranging from incantations, talismans and herbal cures to antibodies, vaccines and organ transplants.The Story of Medicine charts our remarkabl...

Derues, a character brought to life in the works of Alexandre Dumas, is a fascinating yet sinister figure. Portrayed in "The Queen's Necklace" and "The Two Dianas," Derues embodies the archetype of the cunning and manipulative antagonist. He is depicted as a master of deception, using his charm and intellect to manipulate those around him for personal gain. With a dark and calculating nature, Derues is willing to resort to deceit, betrayal, and even murder to achieve his ambitions. Dumas p...

A National Bestseller, a New York Times Notable Book, and an Entertainment Weekly Best Book of the Year from the author of Extra Life**“By turns a medical thriller, detective story, and paean to city life, Johnson's account of the outbreak and its modern implications is a true page-turner.” —The Washington Post“Thought-provoking.” —Entertainment Weekly**It's the summer of 1854, and London is just emerging...

First published in 1762, "Emile" (AKA "On Education") is a treatise by Jean-Jacques Rousseau on the nature of education as well as the nature of man.Rousseau considered this book to be the best and most important of anything he had written. "Emile" was banned in Paris and Geneva, and publicly burned in the year of its release. This was due to a particular section of the book called, “Profession of Faith of the Savoyard Vicar.” During this rather well-received chap...