The Mysteries Within: A Surgeon Explores Myth, Medicine, and the Human Body

By Sherwin B. Nuland

Book Overview

*A New York Times Notable Book*

From the author of the National Book Award-winning How We Die comes a blend of "fascinating stories...about human anatomy and the surgeon's complicated profession" (Chicago Tribune).

Dr. Sherwin Nuland, "a gifted and deeply intelligent writer" (San Francisco Chronicle), combines knowledge, compassion, and elegance of expression to shed light on the workings of our bodies from the perspective of a surgeon. Dr. Nuland recounts age-old legends about the functions and "personalities" of the body's organs and, in riveting vignettes of the surgery he has performed, he describes the connections between myth and reality.

A brilliant blend of science and folklore, The Mysteries Within reveals the enigmas not only of the body but also of the human imagination.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684854872
• ISBN13: 9780684854878
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Thriller Mystery And Medical History

This is a remarkable book written by a gifted surgeon, who wields a pen perhaps a touch less brilliantly than a scalpel. The only reason I say less, is that after reading one specific part of the book, I was overwhelmed with what can happen in an operating room. This is why I used the word thriller for the book, but other sections are as mysterious as Holmes versus Moriarty, and the historical perspective is brilliantly shared and summarized without losing the cadence of the book.Dr. Nuland with his third work, "The Mysteries Within", brings a view of medicine unlike any I have read before. He takes you through a procedure that he claims brought dumb luck to the operating table for both he and his patient, luck that saved a life that was almost a guaranteed loss. He shares the inspiration that Residents and Interns bring with their youth, and calculated daring. Do you know what a bezoars is? I didn't until I read this book. And if the detective work that solved this enigma does not leave you marveling at just how wide and varied a surgeon's skills must be, I don't know what will. The example for you is perhaps in another section of the book.He and the men and women he speaks of are remarkable, yet he always puts what is known and observable into relation with less tangible ideas. Whether it is religious faith, or faith in the Doctor or a pill, or hope in the unproven, he is never dismissive. The only intolerance he shows is for those who lack the openness of mind that welcomes all possibility, or deals in absolutes. His statements on religion and science and how they legitimately coexist, are not incongruous, and perhaps essential to each other, is stated as eloquently as I have ever heard the issue summarized.It is rare person who can reach inside the ill, the broken bodies, and the lives that should end but do not. The pressure they operate under is explained, but I believe true understanding is left only for those who are the participants. Hopefully most will never need the skills and the "luck" that you will experience in this book. However in the event you or someone you care for does, hope that it will be a surgeon like this man, the men and women he learned from, or perhaps those he has taught.Unconditionally recommended!

A Nuland Winner--For Those Interested in Medical History

This book may be disappointing to previous readers of Nuland, who might be expecting disclosures of exciting medical procedures and interesting anecdotes of the workings of the human body; but those who are interested in the evolution of medicine will feel he has produced another winner. Nuland undertakes this historical medical journey by exploring the evolution of knowledge of the stomach, liver, spleen, heart and uterus.During antiquity matter was considered to be composed of fire, air, earth and water. Galen taught that the body contained four associated humors blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm-and to maintain good health a proper balance was to be maintained by them. The source of each of these humors was the heart; liver; spleen and stomach; and brain. Through the course of history as medical instruments became available an iconoclast, with keen observation, was able to shatter previous myths and new insights were uncovered.With the advent of the modern scientific method the details of the individual body processes are uncovered. Gaps in knowledge are acknowledged. No answer is considered final. The medical practitioner during most of history was considered a "magician". He knew all about the workings of the body and how to treat illness. His treatments-in most instances of no value and sometimes even harmful-were frequently successful because the body naturally fights to restore itself to health; and it is aided in that fight by the placebo effect. Many of today's questionable treatments still benefit from the resistance of the body and the placebo effect.Medical knowledge has been a reflection of the contemporary culture. From antiquity, myths (medical knowledge) were created by unrestrained speculation. Such myths however were based on observed experience consistent with the prevailing philosophical and religious beliefs.

Excellent!

An excellent book! He discusses how medical science has advanced (and, incidentally, how alternative medicine has not). Interspersing medical history with some actual cases of his makes it even more readable!

generation x woman makes good on bet with god

This is a very very good book. I highly recommend you read it

Splendid!

For anyone who likes solid writing, imagination and a bit of fun here and there, feel free to buy anything by Dr. Nuland or, in fact, Richard Selzer.