Dead Ends! Flukes, Flops & Failures That Sparked Medical Marvels

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.