The History of Dermatology

This is the first history of dermatology to appear in the English language, and as such it cannot fail to be of interest to all English-speaking medical men. Like most histories on medical subjects it begins with the Edwin Smith papyrus, as this is the earliest written record extant dealing with medical science, and it is surprising to learn that both in this and in the famous Ebers papyrus considerable space is devoted to dermatology. It seems that the cosmetic side of the subject received more attention in those ancient days than the actual treatment of diseases though these also received attention. We also learn that among the remedies used for treatment of skin diseases 1,500 years B.C. calamine and sulphur occupied an important place. The book is divided into chapters each of which covers a definite period of history, and, written as it