Subject Area: History and Philosophy of Science
This course can also be studied in the following specialisation: History

Medicine has always been central to the very existence of human beings, and in the modern era plays a distinctive and powerful social role. This subject studies the evolution of that social role in Western societies in the past two centuries--from the first efforts to introduce science to medical theory and practice, to the present age of personalized medicine for the 'worried well'. Particular topics the course will examine include the origins of medical ethics; the problems of anatomy, dissection and grave robbing; the evolving function of nursing and hospitals; surgery with and without anaesthetics; miasmas, germs and microbes; the hunt for the magic bullet; madness; birth and death, and the medical management social problems. In addition to the fundamental knowledge of history and philosophy of science and medicine and of history that it imparts, this subject cultivates critical thinking about medicine that is useful for any citizen of modern society.