This collection of the erudite lectures delivered by Dr. P. Kutumbiah M.D., F.R.C.P, reveals a master study of the subject of Ancient Medicine through the ages.

Medicine in the pre-historic age and the pre-history of medicine in the paleolithic and neolithic ages is dealt with as a start of the research.

The contents begin with the Mesopotamian magico-religious medicine, followed by the Egyptian, Indian, Chinese, Greek right through the middle ages. The Arabian and the Mediaeval period is also covered, leading to the beginnings of modern science of physiology, then modern medicine using pathology, clinical medicine and bacteriology.

At the time of the authors work, it was a pioneering effort to trace the history of medicine.