Blum, DeborahISBN 978-1-59420-243-8
Published by The Penguin Press in 2010
In Short: A well written history of forensic medicine in the early 20th century that includes enough anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and data-driven research to keep this EMT interested.
Deborah Blum has done a tremendous job exploring a significant period of medical history and presenting it in an entertaining and informative manner. It is 1917, in New York City, with Tammany Hall politicians in charge and no one seems to really care why or how people are dying. Charles Norris is appointed as Medical Examiner in 1918 and this book is about how he and his team bring discipline to forensic science (then known as "medical jurisprudence"). Norris is aided in his work by toxicologist Alexander Gettler. Together the two form one of the most obsessive teams in history. Norris and Alexander are classic examples of determination and commitment to data-driven research in the interest of advancing the medical field and preventing illness and disease.
Blum brings the reader along as she follows Norris and the nascent field of forensics in this biologically challenging and often politically frustrating journey to learn more about toxicity within human anatomy. A key player in this story is prohibition, during which the government actually increased the toxicity of alcohol in an effort to scare citizens from drinking.
Some of the toxins explored in this book include:
- Chloroform (ChCl3)
- Wood Alcohol / Methyl Alcohol / Methanol (CH3OH)
- Cyanides (HCN, KCN, NaCN)
- Arsenic (As)
- Mercury (Hg)
- Carbon Monoxide (CO)
- Radium (Ra)
- Ethyl Alcohol / Ethanol (C2H5OH)
- Thallium (Tl)
There may be little of direct relevance to 21st century EMS, but the principles of Norris' research remain as valid today as they did in his time. The review of how different toxins act on human tissue and organs was also fascinating and useful. It is also important to remember that sometimes (contrary to medical training) when you hear hooves they may, indeed, belong to zebras not horses.
- Chloroform (ChCl3)
- Wood Alcohol / Methyl Alcohol / Methanol (CH3OH)
- Cyanides (HCN, KCN, NaCN)
- Arsenic (As)
- Mercury (Hg)
- Carbon Monoxide (CO)
- Radium (Ra)
- Ethyl Alcohol / Ethanol (C2H5OH)
- Thallium (Tl)
There may be little of direct relevance to 21st century EMS, but the principles of Norris' research remain as valid today as they did in his time. The review of how different toxins act on human tissue and organs was also fascinating and useful. It is also important to remember that sometimes (contrary to medical training) when you hear hooves they may, indeed, belong to zebras not horses.
