This book traces the history of health care in Florence and the surrounding area from the older and more generic institutions right up to our present-day Health Society. The accounts of the ancient and recent history of certain hospitals illustrate both the context and the reasons for their development. The reader is offered a fascinating and dynamic picture which reflects the evolution of health care in the Florentine territory, and indicates how the concept of quality has been declined over time. The informative sections on each of the hospitals have been drafted by the students and staff of the Faculty of Medical Surgery, as a symbol of the sharing of intentions and objectives which represents a crucial aspect of medical training.