Blood has long been an object of intrigue for many of the world's philosophers and physicians, and references to it have existed since the earliest studies of human anatomy. Herodotus of Halicarnassus, whose writings 500 years before the birth of Christ drew on stories collected during his widespread travels, was amongst the first to identify the ritualistic and medical significance of blood. However, despite this long established history, haematology as a medical specialty is relatively new. A History of Haematology: From Herodotus to HIV traces the history of haematology from biblical times to the present, discussing the major defining discoveries in the specialty, ranging from war as a catalyst for the development of new techniques in blood transfusion, to the medical response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In this beautifully illustrated and passionately rendered history of the field of haematology, Professor Shaun McCann traces the remarkable developments within haematology and the work of the scientists and pioneers central to these advances. This engaging and authoritative history will appeal to a wide audience including haematologists, nurses and other health care workers in haematology, as well as medical students, and general physicians with an interest in haematology.

About the Author
Shaun McCann was Professor of Academic Medicine in the University of Dublin, Trinity College from 2005-2011 and was a consultant haematologist, George Gabriel Stokes Professor of Haematology and head of department in St James's hospital, Dublin from 1984 until 2009. He performed the first stem cell transplant for leukaemia in Ireland in 1984. Appointed Medical Director of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service in April 1995 by the Minister for Health during the Hepatitis C crisis. He was the first President of the Haematology Association of Ireland. Professor McCann has published over 150 medical articles, numerous book chapters and a number of textbooks for undergraduate medical students. He was Editor-in-Chief of the European Hematology Association Newsletter from 2006-2012 and is currently Chair of the European Hematology Association (EHA) Training on line Unit.

Reviews
This book is two hundred or so pages of an easy and educational read with an eclectic and impressive set of references informing each chapter. . . Anyone with an interest in becoming or who already is a haematologist should acquire a copy of this book. Anyone else who has an interest in learning how to write an excellent and entertaining medical history should do the same. * Jeff Szer, The Internal Medicine Journal *
Fascinating to read. . . very enjoyable, and of course carries the profile of the author. * Prof. Magnus Bjorkholm, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Karolinska, Sweden; Acta Oncologica *
The scope is broad. . . I enjoyed being reminded of the history of haematology and of the enormous advances that have occurred in our lifetimes. * Professor Barbara J. Bain, St Mary's Hospital London *
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It exudes a sense of humour, and presents the historic facts objectively. . . It makes the science understandable to the non-expert, avoiding oversimplification, is fun to read, and I have to confess I learned many things about the history of my own specialty. * David Marin, Professor of Medicine, Anderson Cancer Centre, University of Texas *
A History of Haematology from Herodotus to HIV is remarkable for the way it combines a knowledge of 'pre- scientific' texts about blood with the most recent medical literature on some of the most challenging questions of haematology. * Professor Jean Paul Pittion, Professeur, Universite Francois-Rabelais et Centre dEtudes Superieures de la Renaissance, Tours *
Shaun McCann, a pioneer in the use of the new genetics to track the fate of bone marrow transplants, has written a scholarly survey that outsiders, including geneticists, will savour. * David McConnell, Vice Chancellor and Professor Emeritus of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin *
A stunning and welcome achievement. * Robert Gale, Executive Director, Clinical Hematology and Oncology, Celgene corporation, Summit NJ, USA *
Very enjoyable . . . fascinating to read. * Prof. Magnus Bjorkholm, Acta Oncologica *
A concise account of progress of Haematology as a subject in the world of Medicine. * Professor Kanjaksha Ghosh and Professor Malay Kumar Ghosh, Indian Journal of Hematology & Blood Transfusion *
This is a fascinating and thoroughly readable history of blood which will be of great interest to doctors, anyone who is involved in working with blood and those interested in the cycle of history. Professor McCann has produced a great book which is highly recommended. * Mary Frances McMullin, Professor of Clinical Haematology, Queens University Belfast, The Irish Journal of Medical Science *
Anyone with an interest in becoming or who already is a haematologist should acquire a copy of this book. Anyone else who has an interest in learning how to write an excellent and entertaining medical history should do the same. * Jeff Szer, Internal Medicine Journal *
Painstakingly researched, highly detailed, rigorously referenced and meaningfully illustrated... History of Haematology: From Herodotus to HIV fulfils exacting critical criteria: it is both useful and enjoyable. Practitioners in the field of haematology and beyond have much to look forward to in this publication. * Mary O'Doherty, Dublin Review of Books *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198717607
Author Shaun R. McCann
Format Hardback
Page Count 256
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 560g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 163mm * 20mm