"In light of current debates over healthcare, this volume could not be more timely. As a whole, it critiques the claim of the mimetic and objective, recognizes the instrumentality of representation, and examines definitions of normal and the stigmatization of disease and disfigurement. These chapters underscore the collection's historical range and geographical diversity. Each essay highlights the uniqueness of a specific moment, but also points towards the continuity of narrative, representational models and their interpretation across cultures."—Carl Fisher, Chair, Comparative World Literature and Classics, California State University Long Beach"The topic of the book is timely, innovative, important. What is important about the volume is its emphasis on issues of medicine in representation and its focus specifically on gender. A further innovative aspect is its interdisciplinary focus including American and European literature, the media, philosophy and cultural studies and medicine. Articles are on a broad range of texts from classic fiction to House MD and Children of Men (2006). It will be a valuable contribution to the fields of medicine, narrative, literature and the media."—E. Ann Kaplan, Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies, Stony Brook University; Director, The Humanities Institute at Stony Brook; Past President, The Society for Cinema and Media Studies"The volume conjoins important new areas of study in gender, medicine and cultural studies of medicine. One of its great strengths is its historical and disciplinary range from a consideration of medieval art to contemporary television. The essays include treatments of the medical gaze in literary works as well as engagement with the literariness and visuality of medical publications. The emphasis on gender gives this volume a tight, unifying focus. I am persuaded that it will have a broad audience among scholars across disciplines and will be widely taught."—Priscilla Wald, Professor of English and Women's Studies, Duke University