Ancient History of Neurology/Neurosurgery - Annotated Bibliography Example

Annotated Bibliography: Ancient History of Neurology/Neurosurgery Introduction Many aspects of human life in the contemporary world borrow so much from the past. It is undisputable that through historical revolutions, humanity in the contemporary world has been able to derive significant benefits from various areas in life. One of the areas that humanity has greatly benefitted as a result of revolution is health. Different aspects of life have changed significantly due to processes of revolution from the history. Neurology or neurosurgery is a branch or medicine that has come a long way (Greenblatt, 1997). Contemporary medical scenario in respect to neurology or neurosurgery derives many aspects from the history. In a bid to understand the current status of neurology or neurosurgery, it is important to develop an insight into its history (Greenblatt, 1997). The following is an annotated bibliography on history of neurology. Annotated Bibliography Greenberg, M. (2010). Handbook of neurosurgery. Thousand Oaks, CA: Thieme. Greenberg (2010) in this book attempts to provide deeper insight of neurology as a branch of medicine. The information provided includes history of neurology. According to Greenberg (2010), neurology started during the prehistoric period when neurologists got involved in neurosurgery to remove purported insanities and demons amongst individuals who had holes within their skull. The book also provides information on various advancements so far made in respect to neurology. Greenberg (2010) identifies technique, practices, and principles as the bases for advancements within the neurology field. In addition, Greenberg (2010) also analyzes the impact of such advancements on the contemporary medical field. Greenberg (2010) identifies that from such advancements, neurology as a branch of medicine has positively benefitted leading to effectiveness and efficiency in carrying out neurosurgery. The information provided in this book is detailed enough to make it possible to create a research paper will all possible information on history of neurology. This research paper will use the information on prehistoric inception of neurology to bridge the gap between classical and contemporary neurology. Moreover, the research paper aims at identifying various advancements and their impact on contemporary neurology. From the information provided in this book, it will be easier to build up the research paper given the adequate data and understanding. Indeed, this is a good and informative book that helps in finding more information on history of neurology. Greenblatt, S. (1997). A History of Neurosurgery: In Its Scientific and Professional Contexts. Park Ridge, IL: The American Association of Neurological Surgeons. While focusing in the scientific and professional contexts, Greenblatt (1997) discusses the history of neurosurgery. Scientifically, Greenblatt (1997) points out that neurosurgery started as a way of removing demons and insanities from individuals with holes in their heads. Science believed that holes within the skull interfered with the normal process of central nervous system thus causing unwarranted and uncommon behavior indicating that an individual could be possessed or insane (Greenblatt, 1997). It is from this idea that neurosurgery was carried out in order to remove such purported demons and insanities amongst affected individuals. On this basis, the concept of neurosurgery developed within humanity. With respect to professionalism, there were specific principles and practices developed for performing such surgeries (Greenblatt, 1997). From the concept of practices and principles, the profession of neurosurgery came up, which has been in existence into the contemporary and most probably into the future. Therefore, neurosurgery developed on the basis of science as well as profession (Greenblatt, 1997). Today, there are many professional neurosurgeons that have been in the forefront of making it possible that diseases and complications within the central nervous system are corrected efficiently and effectively. Information provided in this book is essentially vital in developing this research paper. The book provides detailed information on how neurology started on the basis of science and professionalism. In this perspective, the book is vital in creating a deeper understanding on the history of neurology. Given the two perspectives of neurology, the paper develops a clear understanding of how the branch or field of medicine started. Indeed, the book is very important in enhancing development of the research paper. Kaye, A. (2009). Essential of neurosurgery. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons. Kaye (2009) talks about several essentials required during the process of conducting neurosurgery amongst patients. According to Kaye (2009), the main essentials of neurosurgery include techniques, practices, and principles amongst others. These are very vital concepts and aspects of neurosurgery that every individual who wishes to be a neurosurgeon must have the same. Every neurosurgeon must understand techniques, principles, and practices that should be involved in conducting surgery (Kaye, 2009). Without these aspects or essentials of neurosurgery it becomes difficult for one to practice the profession. Every professional has specific practices, techniques, and principles. Fortunately, these principles, practices, and techniques have a basis on which they were developed. The basis of development of such essentials of neurosurgery is the prehistoric period when the profession was developed. The prehistoric period vividly describes how individuals came up with specific techniques, principles, and practices that neurosurgeons required to perform the act. Prehistoric period is therefore an important epicenter for understanding and describing neurosurgery. Kaye (1997) accepts that prehistoric neurology paved way for the contemporary neurology though definition of techniques, practices, and principles required to carry out the profession. Basing arguments on prehistoric neurology being the foundation of contemporary neurosurgery, the research paper is likely to create a more informative and in-depth paper. The research paper will benefit significantly in describing techniques, practices, and principles applicable within the neurology profession. What’s more, this will help in describing how the advancements in techniques, practices, and principles have significantly changed and impacted on the contemporary neurology. Prestigiacomo, C. (2007). Why study the early history of neurosurgery? Neurosurgery Focus 23(1). Prestigiacomo (2007) not only addresses history of neurosurgery but also attempts to explain why the need to study the same. In this article, Prestigiacomo (2007) vehemently describes the beginning of neurosurgery as a profession and scientific ideology. The history of neurosurgery as described in this book is very informative. Firstly, the author describes how contemporary neurology is directly linked to the prehistoric neurology. The arguments in this article confirm that without prehistoric neurology then the contemporary neurosurgery would not be having a strong basis or foundation. Hence, Prestigiacomo (2007) describes the prehistoric neurology as the basis and foundation of contemporary neurology. Secondly, Prestigiacomo (2007) also identifies some of the aspects of prehistoric neurology, which have been very influential in the contemporary neurology. For instance, the author is very clear that contemporary neurology borrows heavily from the techniques, practices, and principles of prehistoric neurology. What’s more, the contemporary neurology’s practices, principles, and techniques are just the modified versions of the classical practices, principles, and techniques respectively. Other than addressing aspects of prehistoric neurology whilst trying to establish the correlation between the two aspects, Prestigiacomo (2007) describes that it is through studying the history of neurosurgery that professionals in the same field are updated on information regarding the same. History of neurology is important as it provide an understanding of various aspects of the profession. In addition, such informative history enables individuals to explain some of the practices, principles, and techniques applicable within the profession. It is true that from such information one is able to explain why there are certain practices in the profession. The information obtained from this article is very essential and vital in the preparation of this research paper. This research paper will obtain information regarding aspects of history of neurosurgery whilst accepting and appreciating its importance. What’s more, from the importance of history of neurosurgery as explained by the author, this research paper will be able to establish reasons for advancements in techniques, practices, and principles coupled with different ways through which they affected the contemporary neurological field. Wilkins, R. (1992). Neurosurgical Classics. Park Ridge, IL: The American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Neurosurgical classics as described by Wilkins (1992) simply refer to the history of neurosurgery. Wilkins (1992) provides a clear description, evaluation, and analysis of various aspects of neurosurgery. Some of the historical aspects of neurosurgery include the techniques, practices, and principles. While describing, evaluating, and analyzing various aspects of neurosurgical classics, Wilkins (1992) provide an analysis on how they changed and affected the contemporary neurology. For instance, Wilkins (1992) address the various practices developed during the classical neurology such as Egas Moniz from Portugal developing an efficient and effective procedure for leucotomy for purposes of curing and solving problems associated with psychiatric disorders, development of the procedure for removal or spinal tumor by Victor Horsley as well as removal of meningioma procedure developed by William McEwen (Wilkins, 1992). Wilkins (1992) also mentioned the idea of Harvey Cushing being the first American surgeon to remove pituitary adenoma through an invented procedure. These and many more as described and analyzed in the article provide an opportunity to understand the history of neurology in a more insightful manner. Through this article, the research paper is likely to benefit from the idea of explaining in depth the neurosurgical classics in a bid to attempting to create a link between the classical and contemporary periods. References Bottom of Form Top of Form Greenberg, M. (2010). Handbook of neurosurgery. Thousand Oaks, CA: Thieme. Greenblatt, S. (1997). A History of Neurosurgery: In Its Scientific and Professional Contexts. Park Ridge, IL: The American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Kaye, A. (2009). Essential of neurosurgery. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons. Prestigiacomo, C. (2007). Why study the early history of neurosurgery? Neurosurgery Focus 23(1). Wilkins, R. (1992). Neurosurgical Classics. Park Ridge, IL: The American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Read More