Originally published in 1981 and then as a second edition, revised and updated in 1983 and now with a new Preface by Ian Kennedy, this is a hard-hitting and penetrating investigation behind the façade of late 20th Century medical thinking. Based on his controversial series of Reith Lectures, Ian Kennedy attacks issues and problems which are central to today’s debate over the provision of health care. He asks why people are willing to give up so much power over their own lives to the medical profession and discusses why the Health Service has become an illness service. He also questions whether doctors are adequately trained to deal with ethical problems.