Random Thoughts on William Shakespeare and Medicine
Abstract
Medicine and literature have always been connected over the ages. William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is no exception. There are plenty of references to medicine and diseases in the works of Shakespeare. The knowledge which Shakespeare has of medical conditions is much more than is expected of a common man. This is attributed to his association with practitioners of his time and reading of contemporary texts in medicine. Also his son in law Dr. John Hall who married Susanna, Shakespeare's eldest daughter would have contributed in substantially to the knowledge of medicine in Shakespeare's compositions. Surgery at the Elizabethan times was well known and is reflected to a large extent in his plays.References
References
1. Fu KT. The healing hand in literature: Shakespeare and surgery. Hong Kong Med J. 1998. 4 : 77-88.
Selected Bibliography
1. Stearns CW, Shakespeare's Medical Knowledge. New York Appleton 1865.
2. Field R. Medical Thoughts of Shakespeare, Easton PA: Andrews 1885.
3. Kail AC. The Medical Mind of Shakespeare. Balgowlah NSW. William and Wilkins. 1986.
4. Simpson RR. Shakespeare and Medicine. Edinburgh. Livingstone. 1959.
1. Fu KT. The healing hand in literature: Shakespeare and surgery. Hong Kong Med J. 1998. 4 : 77-88.
Selected Bibliography
1. Stearns CW, Shakespeare's Medical Knowledge. New York Appleton 1865.
2. Field R. Medical Thoughts of Shakespeare, Easton PA: Andrews 1885.
3. Kail AC. The Medical Mind of Shakespeare. Balgowlah NSW. William and Wilkins. 1986.
4. Simpson RR. Shakespeare and Medicine. Edinburgh. Livingstone. 1959.
