Medical Paradoxes by Dr Francisco Kerdel-Vegas was quite the interesting read. While definitely geared towards medical professionals, it is readable and enlightening to the layperson. Dr Kerdel-Vegas is Venezuelan, and these paradoxes are oriented towards Venezuelan medicine, though they are applicable to medical practise anywhere. Rather than being cut and dried, the good doctor throws in anecdotal stories and fascinating facts. This book is translated from the original Spanish, and it flowed fairly well. There were some rougher places. Dr Kerdel-Vegas presented the paradoxes, and for many, gave his own opinions. Just as often, he played devil's advocate, but never did he try to bludgeon the reader into believing a certain way. There were a few related to human euthanasia, and quality vs quantity of life. These resonated strongly with me as my grandmother went into kidney failure and chose quality over quantity in refusing dialysis. When it reached end-stage… let's just say, we are stupid for saying it's 'humane' to euthanise suffering animals, but immoral to do the same for suffering humans who can ask for it.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Publicaciones Violeta for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

An interesting collection of around 100 paradoxes of contradictions that exist within medicine. The writing is clear and easy to follow, and would highly recommend this for anyone that has an interest in medicine, history and how it affects us still today.