This chapter surveys the origins of medicine and introduces the concept of “Mainstream Medicine,” which is the globalized descendant of Western medicine. Based primarily on Roy Porter’s work, a broad-brush survey of the history of Mainstream Medicine is provided. The history of Alternative Medicine is also outlined, and a rough distinction drawn between Alternative and Traditional Medicine. The latter has its origins in a distinct geographical region and tradition, while the former typically involves conscious deviations from or rejections of the mainstream. Medical traditions from China, India, and Africa are briefly outlined. The chapter illustrates the geographical and temporal diversity of medical practices, in order to ground both the driving questions of the book—what is medicine, and what should we think of it? Any answer must handle the variety of medicine and be epistemically fair to the various traditions.
