"The Figure of the Healer occupies a central position in the history of humankind. But how have therapeutic practices changed and developed over time, and what sort of role did the healer fulfill in other cultures and in times gone by? The journey from the quasi-religious rituals of the tribal shaman to today's high-tech computer-based diagnostic techniques is a long one. How did the story evolve? This beautifully illustrated book provides the fascinating answers to questions such as these."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved