Anatomy of an Illness: As Perceived by the Patient

180 Pages·2005·17.39 MB·English

by  Norman Cousins

THE NATIONAL BESTSELUNG
^1
Author ofTHE CELEBRATION OF LIFE and HEAD FIRST
1
\
Reflections on Healing and Regeneration
ALSO BY NORMAN COUSINS
THE
CELEBRATION
OF
LIFE
Available now from Bantam Books
The book that's helping thousands who are ill,
and thousands who want to stay well.
ANATOMY OF AN ILLNESS
As perceived by the patient
Norman Cousins
Reflections on Healing and Regeneration
"Intriguing He touches on such large topics as
. . .
creativity, longevity and pain, and raises timely ques-
tions about holistic vs. traditional medicine, treating
patients vs. treating diseases." —
Newsweek
"Cousins' reflections generated by his extraordinary
triumph over a crippling illness are as inspiring as
they are informed, as well stated as they are care-
fully conceived ... It will be of great interest to
those whose lives are touched by illness, and all
who desire to increase their understanding and ap-
preciation of being well." —
LibraryJournal
"His book will bring hope to many who need it and
perhaps open up a new field for medical research."
—
-John Barkham Reviews
Bantam Books by Norman Cousins
ANATOMY OFAN ILLNESS
THECELEBRATION OFLIFE
Anatomy of an Illness
as Perceived by the Patient
REFLECTIONS ON HEALING AND REGENERATION
by
NORMAN
COUSINS
Introduction by
RENE DUBOS
BANTAM BOOKS
NEW YORK TORONTO LONDON SYDNEY
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All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 1979 by W. W. Norton Company, Inc.
Cover art copyright © 1981 by Bantam Books, Inc.
This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by
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PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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For my brother Robert and
my sisters Sophie and Jeanne.

CONTENTS
Introduction by Rene Dubos n
Acknowledgments
25
1 Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the
Patient 27
2 The Mysterious Placebo 49
3 Creativity and Longevity 71
4 Pain Is Not the Ultimate Enemy 89
5 Holistic Health and Healing 109
6 What I Learned from Three Thousand
Doctors 125
Bibliography 161