James C. Whorton Livres

"From reflexology and rolfing to shiatsu and dream work, we are confronted today by a welter of alternative medical therapies. But as James Whorton shows in Nature Cures, the recent explosion in alternative medicine actually reflects two centuries of competition and conflict between mainstream medicine and numerous unorthodox systems." "This is a history of alternative medicine in America, examining the major systems that have emerged from 1800 to the present. Writing with wit and with fairness to all sides, Whorton offers a fascinating look at alternative health systems such as homeopathy, water cures, Mesmerism, Christian Science, osteopathy, chiropractic, naturopathy, and acupuncture. He highlights the birth and growth of each system (including European roots where appropriate) and vividly describes both the theories and the therapies developed within each system, including such dubious practices as hour-long walks barefoot in snow or Samuel Thompson's "puking and steaming" regimen. In particular, Whorton illuminates the philosophy of "natural healing" that has been espoused by alternative practitioners throughout history and the distinctive interpretations of "nature cure" developed by the different systems. Though he doesn't hesitate to point out the failings of these systems, he also shows that some "cult medicines" have eventually won recognition from practitioners of mainstream medicine."--Jacket

The story of arsenic in Victorian Britain, looking both at its widespread presence in everything from candles to curtains, and also its more sinister use for murder and suicide.

The book explores the historical context of pesticide use, revealing that the contamination of food by insecticides dates back to the 1860s. It highlights the ongoing public health risks associated with pesticidal residues, connecting modern consumers' concerns to the experiences of their great-grandparents. Through this historical lens, it emphasizes the persistent nature of this issue in food safety and public health.

To reveal the importance of a subject that has long suffered from scholarly neglect, Professor Whorton demonstrates that health reform campaigns were not mere fads but ideologies composed of a mixture of religious and scientific ideas and themes from the popular culture. Originally published in 1982. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.