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A sick history of medicine

£10.99

A disgusting history of medicine through the ages from Jelena Poleksic, featuring hilarious illustrations by Ella Kasperowicz.

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ISBN: 9781916745018 Category: Children's - Non-Fiction Tags: Children's / Teenage general interest: History & the past, Children's / Teenage general interest: Science & technology: general interes, Children's / Teenage personal & social issues: Body & health
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Description

WARNING: NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED. This revolting history of medicine through the ages by Jelena Poleksic is full of blood, guts, and gore!

If you don’t like going to the doctor, spare a thought for your ancestors. Got a headache? We can drill into your skull! Need to buy medicine? Can we recommend a dose of ground-up Egyptian mummy? Want to fight off diseases? Try smelling a stinky cesspit.

It’s well-known that to make advances in science you have to make a few mistakes along the way. In this hilarious history book kids will be whisked around the world – from ancient Rome to imperial China – to meet the medical innovators who pushed the boundaries of what was possible, with sometimes disastrous effects. They’ll learn about the use of leeches, maggot-therapy (as gross as it sounds), dancing plagues, public dissections, grave robbers, electric eel treatments, exploding teeth, and much more!

Written by a doctor, everything in this book has been scrupulously researched and readers will learn about the development of some of our greatest inventions, from vaccines to X-rays. Amusing illustrations by Ella Kasperowicz make this a book kids will want to return to again and again.

The vile sequel to the equally revolting A Stinky History of Toilets!

Additional information

Weight 0.51 kg
Dimensions 29 × 23.6 × 1.2 cm
Author

Poleksic, Jelena

Publisher

Neon Squid

Imprint

Neon Squid

Cover

Hardback

Pages

48

Language

English

Edition
Dewey

610.9 (edition:23)

Readership

Children – juvenile / Code: J

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Happy Independent Bookshop Week!

Being an indie bookshop means supporting the incredible independent publishers that help make bookselling so interesting.

This week, our booksellers are shining a spotlight on some of their favourite indie presses and the books they love from them.

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Thanks everyone for coming to our June event discussing Good and Mad by Rebecca Traister. In July's Feminist Book Club, we'll be discussing Goodlord by Ella Frears. Whether you're new or regular come and join!📚😀 As always tickets are limited so book early to avoid dissapoint

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House of Books and Friends cannot wait to host Lisa Ownes on Wednesday 1st July to discuss her new title ‘Natural Disaster'. 🐍🔥

The evening will begin at 6pm, and involve a discussion, a Q&A, and a chance to get your book signed by Lisa. Lisa will be in conversation with our bookseller, Lily.

About the book

For weeks, she has been saying it will be their special day. One last, perfect day with her children before she returns to work after maternity leave. What’s the worst that can happen?

Unfolding across 24 hours, Natural Disaster is a novel about the absurd, frustrating, hilarious, precarious, bittersweet, sometimes astonishing challenge – literal, existential – of being a woman, a mother, a wife, a person for one single, entire day.

Get tickets via the link in our bio! 🎟

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June 15th - 21st 2026 is a week dedicated to loneliness awareness. Loneliness is something we all experience and by taking part you can create space for more open conversations and meaningful connections. 
2026 marks 10 years of the campaign, and this year’s theme is Giving Loneliness a Voice. By sharing real, human stories of loneliness – and the wonderful power of understanding and connection – together we can make people experiencing loneliness feel less alone.
Here are some fiction and non-fiction recommendations that we feel gives loneliness a voice and fosters empathy for those struggling to form connections.

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How COOL is this customised version of Flights that one of our lovely customers gave their friend as a birthday gift?! 🎁

BRB off to hand paint all our Fitzcarraldo editions...

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House of Books & Friends is excited to celebrate 50 Years of Punk with John Robb and Russ Bestley on 22nd July at 6pm.

John will be discussing his memoir, Punk Rock Ruined my Life: and other stories, while Russ discusses his new title, Turning Revolt into Style: The process and practice of punk graphic design. 
Tickets and info available on our website!


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