A Field Guide to Germs

Identifies the one hundred most prevalent, powerful, and interesting organisms, microbes, bacteria, and germs that not only surround, but inhabit human beings, blending history, science, politics, philosophy, and first aid

YA?Historical and scientific information on the various bacteria, viruses, and other unfriendly critters with which humans must cope is presented in an informal, almost humorous manner. From the common rhinoviruses and Chinese restaurant syndrome (msg overdose) to the unusual Q fever or yersinia pestis (bubonic plague), each microorganism is discussed in the same factual, but witty style. Alphabetically arranged, each article varies in length but is generally two-to-four pages. Biddle gives the origin of the scientific words, which helps readers understand the disease itself, and then discusses how it has influenced history and thus today's social attitudes. Although medically accurate, the level of technical difficulty makes this a perfect choice for both browsers and biology researchers. It is too bad the cover is drab and unappealing. Fifty black-and-white photographs of germs under a microscope, posters showing the beliefs of the time, or doctors at work highlight the topics under discussion. The index is vital as the disorders are examined under their more scientific name.?Gary Filmore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Looking for a good book on disease? Witty, acerbic, and thorough, Biddle's is "offered in the spirit of first aid, as a bulwark against phobia, and as a reminder that medicine is a social activity." Relaying essential information about the 100 most prevalent, powerful, or literarily famous microbiological malefactors in dictionary-encyclopedia style, Biddle injects social and political history into the exposition to provide fuller understanding of germs, their roles in society, their histories, and their current statuses. Pithy anecdotes abound, as do trivial revelations, such as that the word dysentery was originally a euphemism employed by Hippocrates and that measles was once confused with smallpox. Eminently entertaining, the book yet has the serious purpose of showing how concerns other than science and the relief of human suffering have affected the course of medical history--a purpose arising from the attitude of Biddle's introductory observation, "There will always be the lucky well and the unlucky sick, but the division should never be determined by privilege--intellectual or otherwise." Mike Tribby