Reaching from the beginnings of scientific medicine in the 19th century through to the present, Sander L. Gilman examines the ever-shifting boundary between scientific medicine and quackery, asking if such a fixed boundary can actually exist within mainstream medical practice. Through detailed case studies stomach ulcers, eye disease and acupuncture it reveals the influence of pharmaceutical companies in determining the science of medical practice, the pros and cons of the increasing specialisation in medical practice, and the murky issue of 'race' in scientific medicine. This readable account covers medical practice from the Enlightenment to the present, offering a realistic view of health politics in the US, Germany and the UK. It's an essential read for anyone interested in the history and politics of Western medicine.