Medicine in the twenty-fourth century

This paper discusses one vision of medicine's future as penned by a noted current writer of science fiction. Medical progress is seen as an outgrowth of the overall advancement of human technology, especially as a result of routine exploration of deep space. Much of 24th century medicine is to be based on the merging of bioengineering with the classical medical arts. A great deal more will be known about the human animal then than now, so more healing can be done. In spite of numerous items of medical gadgetry at his disposal, the physician of 400 years hence will remain sympathetic and caring.