Stroke: A History of Ideas

The book chronicles how ideas about events in the brain or its blood vessels evolved over 400 years, from the revival of ancient medicine to the 20th century, when techniques for brain scanning heralded the possibility of treatment for cerebrovascular disease. It is based on primary sources and shows how clashes of opinions led to improved understanding, making it an indispensable reference for the history of stroke research.

Format: Hardback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 20 July 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Stroke, as we understand it today, arises from the occlusion or rupture of one or more blood vessels within the brain. Its manifestations have been documented throughout the annals of medical history, dating back as far as the available records extend. These manifestations encompass sudden collapse, loss of movement and sensation, while preserving respiration and heart action. The book delves into the evolution of ideas surrounding events in the brain and its blood vessels over a span of 400 years. It begins with the revival of ancient medicine in the mid-16th century and concludes in the 20th century, when advancements in brain scanning paved the way for potential treatments for cerebrovascular disease. The narrative is solely reliant on primary sources, providing a firsthand account of how this branch of medical knowledge unfolded, including its triumphs and setbacks. Frequent references to original sources serve as valuable guides, facilitating the reader's journey through the clashes of opinions that ultimately led to improved understanding, making this an indispensable reference for the history of stroke research.

ISBN-13: 9781108832540