Vigliani (obstetrics & gynecology, Warren Alpert Medical Sch., Brown Univ.) and Eaton (children's lit, Univ. of Rhode Island Graduate Sch. of Library and Information Studies; A History of Civilization in 50 Disasters) have compiled here the events that changed human health and treatment of disease through the ages. Appearing in roughly chronological order, some topics span centuries (massage from the seventh century BCE to modern day), while others focus on a single invention (the stethoscope in 1816) or discovery (X-rays in 1896). A thoughtful introduction notes that some findings were made independently of one another and that several theories (handwashing fights spread of infection) were ignored for many years. VERDICT The photos, graphics, and accessible text will appeal to a range of readers, from middle schoolers to adults.