To comfort always : a history of palliative medicine since the nineteenth century / David Clark.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Clark, David, 1953- author.

Series:

Oxford medical histories

Oxford medical histories series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Palliative treatment--History.

Palliative treatment.

Terminal care--History.

Terminal care.

Palliative Care.

Terminal Care.

History.

Medical Subjects:

Palliative Care.

Terminal Care.

History.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

xiv, 237 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Edition:

First edition.

Other Title:

History of palliative medicine since the nineteenth century

Place of Publication:

Oxford, United Kingdom : Oxford University Press 2016.

Summary:

"Palliative medicine was first recognised as a specialist field in 1987. One hundred years earlier, London based doctor William Munk published a treatise on 'easeful death' that mapped out the principles of practical, spiritual, and medical support at the end of life. In the intervening years a major process of development took place which led to innovative services, new approaches to the study and relief of pain and other symptoms, a growing interest in 'holistic' care, and a desire to gain more recognition for care at the end of life. This book traces the history of palliative medicine, from its nineteenth-century origins, to its modern practice around the world. It takes in the changing meaning of 'euthanasia', assesses the role of religious and philanthropic organisations in the creation of homes for the dying, and explores how twentieth-century doctors created a special focus on end of life care. To Comfort Always traces the rise of clinical studies, academic programmes and international collaborations to promote palliative care. It examines the continuing need to support development with evidence, and assesses the dilemmas of unequal access to services and pain relieving drugs, as well as the periodic accusations of creeping medicalization within the field. This is the first history of its kind, and the breadth of information it encompasses makes it an essential resource for those interested in the long-term achievements of palliative medicine as well as the challenges that remain."-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Nineteenth century doctors and care of the dying

Homes for the terminally ill : 1885-1945

Interest and disinterest in mid-twentieth century

Cicely Saunders and her early associates : a kaleidoscope of effects

Defining the clinical realm

Specialty recognition and global development

Palliative medicine : historical record and challenges that remain.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780199674282

0199674280

OCLC:

946010986