Perri Klass

The life-or-death fate of children has changed dramatically over the past 200 years due to research, medicine, and public health. Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln famously grieved the loss of their child in the White House years ago, but they were hardly alone. Rather in that era, losing a child, often due to illness or mishaps, was pretty much normal though still tragic. Today, such an experience is the exception, and we are all better for it. In this book, pediatrician Perri Klass examines the slow but steady triumph of science over common childhood ailments.

Science, especially in the twentieth century, witnessed advances over most diseases of childhood. A list of the most common causes of death in 1900 looks very different than a similar list in 2000. Tuberculosis, rheumatic fever, scarlet fever, measles, and diphtheria are presently known – or forgotten – as historical anomalies, yet they were all dreaded entities decades ago. Research advances in treatment and vaccines prevention spare us today.

Disease by disease, Klass describes the story behind each of these victories. Reading this work can open a reader’s eyes to the power of science and the power of empowering researchers. She concludes by dwelling on how societal attitudes have changed due to these breakthroughs. We are now hyperaware – and thus often overprotective – of dangers to the young. Childhood death sometimes casts shame over a family today. We can expect too much perfection instead of too little, as we did in prior eras. We also deal with massive misinformation and mistrust of medicine… despite all its triumphs.

This book is well suited to those interested in medical history. It’s also good preparation for those entering health professions to learn about these diseases through the engaging lens of history. Klass tells a good story that shouldn’t pass into the dustheaps of a forgotten past. Life is a treasure, and remembering prior successes can refine our focus towards engaging present challenges – and hopefully winning future successes. This book offers a nice narrative to dwell upon these themes.… (altro)

The epitome of Klass' work -- a pedantic and often obnoxious narrative voice overlying the fantasies and fears that are, in fact ubiquitous among medical trainees. After reading this I knew that I wasn't the first to secretly desire running off to practice medicine in some rural third-world country -- not out of benevolence, but to be able to utilize history and physical skills, without any pesky high technology to ruin my intellectual fun and I now know that I share the mixed dread and exhilaration boarding an aircraft knowing that they may call "Is someone on board a doctor?"
Klass is maybe the most renowned medical writer and although she is far from the best, she never fails to entertain.… (altro)