Dead ends! Flukes, flops & failures that sparked medical marvels

Review by Booklist Review

This is, appropriately, a thoroughly disgusting and sacrilegious book about the misguided ministrations of physicians over the past few millennia as they sought cures for all kinds of ailments based on religious, philosophical, and sometimes whimsical notions. The tone alternates among informative, sensational, irreverent, and tongue-in-cheek (sometimes literally), resulting in engaging and engrossing reading. The fairly lengthy chapters (10 to 20 pages each) concentrate on discrete body parts (skulls, limbs, hearts, blood, guts) and address such concerns as basic functions, common diseases and injuries, notable plagues and disasters, biographical profiles of doctors and patients, and graphic descriptions of the well-intentioned--but often deplorable--experiments, operations, and medications that eventually led to medical breakthroughs. Descriptions of period living conditions in various cultures provide social context; facts about health and hygiene integrate effortlessly as previous misconceptions are explored and skewered, and there's reassuring information about contemporary practices. Multiple sidebars and humorous illustrations support the text; ample chapter notes and lists of references provide fodder for further exploration. Good luck keeping this gross one on library shelves once kids hear about it.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 5 Up--An informative and entertaining dive into the successes and failures of medical history. Fitzharris's latest title introduces readers to the world of medicine long before the tried-and-true methods used by doctors today. Fascinating, often perplexing, information is included throughout, such as a doctor who thought he should remove the colon from his patients or a surgeon who would keep his bloody knife between his teeth during amputations. There are also plenty of examples, as the title states, of medical marvels stumbled upon by doctors trying to find cures for a disease or trying to make humans live forever. Chapters are named by the part of the body being discussed and illustrations enhance the text. Fitzharris excels at making medical history accessible to young readers, simplifying topics and defining medical terms. This is an engaging title with a multitude of positive messages: keep trying, everyone makes mistakes, and be open to new ideas. It is important to note, this book may be off-putting to some. Descriptions of historical medical practices, while not graphic, can be gross or disturbing. VERDICT Another excellent title from Fitzharris. Recommended for all middle schools.--Lisa Buffi

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

In the vein of theirPlague-Busters! (2023), Fitzharris and Teal round up wild examples of medical trial and error. Arguing that "success and failure are often two sides of the same coin," the co-authors demonstrate that mistakes have often resulted in groundbreaking medical breakthroughs. A 19th-century surgeon unable to patch up a hole in a patient's side was afforded the rare opportunity to observe digestion up close; deaths from the first blood transfusions led to the discovery of blood types. Fitzharris and Teal present fascinating content, writing in an easy-to-digest, conversational tone while occasionally slipping in some gallows humor. The promise of grotesque medical tales will lure readers, but the authors also make some profound, even moving conclusions: Failure is a key part of learning, and medicine has come a long way over the years. The material is organized by body parts, with delightfully punny chapter titles: "Racking Your Brains," "No Guts, No Glory." "A Taste of Their Own Medicine" sections between chapters are ripe with tales of dark irony and people getting hoisted by their own petards. Teal's black-and-white images use pops of bright red to spice up the visual gags and caricaturelike portraits of scientists and doctors. The subversive, gory humor is transgressive and fun for young readers without being so graphic as to disturb any but the most sensitive. Extensive backmatter will reward those with the guts to delve deeper. Macabre, madcap, and surprisingly wholesome in its positivity. (selected sources, further reading, index)(Nonfiction. 9-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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