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Paige V. Polinsky

Vaccines have been used to safely introduce people's bodies to diseases for centuries, and they save millions of lives each year. By giving people a weakened or dead version of a disease, a vaccine allows the body to develop antibodies which recognize and fight the disease later on.

Early vaccinations used dry scabs from smallpox to promote smallpox immunity. Doctors and scientists across nations took and improved the method, developing vaccines for health crises from whooping cough to polio to COVID-19. This graphic history features famous cases and current challenges, including the time frame for creating a new vaccine.

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Lerner

Medical Breakthroughs

Vaccines: A Graphic History

Brandon Terrell

For centuries, people misunderstood how the heart works. As our knowledge grew, heart surgery remained a dangerous medical procedure. Even after organ transplants become common, surgeons struggled to transplant hearts and keep patients alive. But small groups of pioneering doctors attempted this difficult surgery, changing the lives of patients.

This graphic history traces their leap forward and the medical world's newest advancements in heart-health technology. Learn about innovations such as artificial hearts and 3D printed living tissue.

The First Heart Transplant: A Graphic History

Rachael L. Thomas

With X-rays, doctors detect problems human eyes can't see. X-rays are a form of invisible radiation. This powerful medical technology helps experts look inside the body and even treat illnesses. But early on, X-rays caused harm too, as people used them without enough protection.

This graphic history covers the discovery of X-rays, the development of safety standards, and the rise of more powerful and precise X-ray machines. Find out how modern doctors create digital images of the inner body—even 3D images of our brains!

X-Rays: A Graphic History

When babies are born early, they often have trouble surviving. But special containers called incubators help babies grow by keeping them warm and protected.

At first, people in the medical world were skeptical about incubators. But some trailblazing doctors believed in the technology—and put it on display across Europe and the United States. "Incubator exhibits" showed the public how incubators saved lives. The controversial displays led people to accept this medical innovation. Meet the doctors who invented the incubator, and follow the incubator's fascinating rise with this graphic history.

Incubators: A Graphic History

Earth is home to trillions of germs. But for most of human history, people didn't know germs existed! Healers of the past had different ideas about illnesses and their cures. They blamed illnesses on other causes and sometimes tried dangerous treatments.

 The invention of tools such as the microscope changed everything, allowing doctors and scientists to see germs and study their effects. This vivid graphic history profiles the people who helped discover germs. Discover the ongoing breakthroughs in research—and germs' surprising benefits for safety and sustainable energy.

The Discovery of Germs: A Graphic History

Bacterial infections are a constant threat to human health. Antibiotics stop a bacterial infection from multiplying. They help treat pneumonia, strep throat, and many other infections. But before antibiotics, treatments for these diseases were limited or misguided. 

In 1929, the accidental discovery of the first antibiotic, a bacteria-killing liquid called penicillin, kicked off a medical revolution. The use of this new treatment has saved countless lives from World War II soldiers and to modern hospital patients. Explore current issues in antibiotics and the best ways to fight bacteria in this graphic history.

Medical Breakthroughs - The book series

Medical Breakthroughs - The book series

Medical Breakthroughs books in order

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