He begins with a history of human disease, what he calls that war between disease and doctors fought out on the battleground of the flesh that has a beginning, a middle and no end. We are reminded that most disease is of our own making, an unwitting product of our drive to farm, irrigate, domesticate herd animals, live in towns and cities, travel, conquer and colonise. Likewise, our determination to extend our mortal coil demands a price in chronic illness, disability and dementia.
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