For instance, did you know…

• During World War 1, as many soldiers died from wound infections as than from enemy fire? If a soldier was shot or wounded in battle, it was likely to become infected. Once it did there wasn’t much that could be done about it. We’re talking several hundred thousands of soldiers dying from infection during World War 1.
• That gangrene, the infection that often resulted from amputation (and led to further amputation), was contagious? That once it infected one patient many others would contract it? Not to mention that usually the amputee would die from the infection? Once sulfa was used, it was rare to lose an amputee.
• If woman went to a hospital to have a baby, over fifty percent contracted infections that resulted in the death the mother? Once sulfa and later other antibiotics became available the number of deaths dropped to nearly zero.
• Doctors were unaware of the importance of washing their hands, let alone using gloves? Nor was sterilizing instruments and the operating room itself considered necessary.

The staggering numbers that went to nearly zero with the discovery of sulfa and penicillin still amazes me as I think of it. The author takes you into the effort it took, first with the discovery of bacteria, then how to separate and destroy it without harming the human body itself.

From coal tar, to creosote, to dyes , their remarkable discoveries included cures for sleeping sickness, syphilis, tyfloid fever, malaria, gangrene, and other infection. With all the scientific facts, Mr. Hager has still managed to make this book very readable and enjoyable. It was really a fascinating look at history.

It’s a remarkable story, one I will remember. The author has made me want to explore more about our scientific history. Now when I look at something–almost anything–I find myself wondering how it came to be, from thought to invention. Everything has a history. What a pleasure it is to read a book that has changed the way I think!

After finishing Demon, I was intrigued and wanted to learn more about the history of medicines. These three sound like a good start. Mr. Hager has a way of making even these non fiction books exciting and intriguing. And Henrietta Lack’s story has been a book club favorite for years. I’m looking forward to seeing what they have to say

This is my next read by Mr Hager. Two Germans start out to increase plant growth with fixed nitrogen to help their nation. It will be used for gunpowder and explosives that kill thousands. Mr Hager tells their histories as well, during the time of Nazi Germany.