​James J. Walsh’s Old-Time Makers of Medicine offers a comprehensive exploration of the evolution of medical science during the Middle Ages, challenging the prevailing notion that this period was devoid of significant medical advancement. Walsh emphasizes that the medieval era was rich with notable medical figures who made significant strides in understanding and practicing medicine, despite prevailing challenges such as the fall of the Roman Empire and societal upheaval. He highlights the contributions of various physicians and medical scholars from early Christian, Jewish, and Arab backgrounds, showing how they preserved and built upon ancient Greek medical knowledge. ​

The book is organized chronologically, beginning with the fall of the Roman Empire and growth of the early Christian Church. From there, Dr. Walsh details the development of medical knowledge and practice in Arabia, to Medieval and Renaissance Europe. The reader will also discover how modern cultures based much of their medical knowledge on ancient Greek teachings. ​

Throughout the book, Walsh exposes several misconceptions and misinterpretations of history, especially restrictions of medical research stemming from religious prohibitions. He argues that the scientific spirit is not a psychological development of the nineteenth century, and that much of what is supposed to be new in medicine is not original, but rediscovered. ​

Old-Time Makers of Medicine serves as a valuable contribution to the history of medicine, shedding light on the achievements of medieval medical practitioners and challenging modern perceptions of the Middle Ages.