Many of the world’s most important and life-saving devices and techniques were often discovered purely by accident. Serendipity, timing, and luck played a part in the discovery of unintentional cures and breakthroughs:A plastic shard in an RAF pilot’s eye leads to the use of plastic for contact lenses.The inability to remove a titanium chamber from rabbit’s bone leads to dental implants.Viagra … implants.
Viagra was discovered by a group of chemists, working in the lab to find a new drug to alleviate the pain of angina pectoris.
A stretch of five weeks of unusually warm weather in 1928 played a role in assisting Dr. Alexander Fleming in his analysis of bacterial growth and the discovery of penicillin.
After studying the effects of the venom injected by the bite of a deadly pit viper snake, chemists developed a groundbreaking drug that works to control blood pressure.
Accidental Medical Discoveries is an entertaining and enlightening look at the creation of 25 medical inventions that have changed the world unintentionally. The book is presented in a lively and engaging way, and will appeal to a wide variety of readers, from history buffs to trivia fanatics to those in the medical profession.
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It’s organized in a way that makes it easy to read, but I just didn’t think the writing was that great.
This book highlights several seminal medical discoveries and examines why they occurred and also the push-back from conventional wisdom medical peers. A particular mindset seems to enable some to look at data and see an alternative reading of it from that which the majority sees and this often leads to medical breakthroughs. Of particular interest to those in the various medical professions, and one who is, I am curious to see what new breakthroughs will be coming in the future.
Full of many interesting facts regarding both drugs & vitamin discovery.
Amazing how many of the major medical discoveries were found along a random road of choices by accident. The human race has been extremely lucky.
Learning about accidental discoveries and how hard a fight scientists had to go through to get their discoveries recognized by the establishment. Very pertinent in these days of the virus.
Brilliant writing about the aspects of health care we sometimes take for granted
While I have not quite finished this book, I really love it. Yes, sometimes it was an accidental discovery for a cure, but some were able to realize its potential, others not, or like in one case, just a student realized the importance. On the other hand, some, often doctors, got ridiculed by the medical establishment and their life was made difficult. Or, just like anywhere, another person tried to profit of the person’s invention. What also struck me is when anesthesia was discovered, many felt that women in childbirth should not be given any anesthesia, that they were in a way ordained to deliver in pain.
Very interesting! Things you never knew about medical discoveries that we take for granted. Easy to read. Written for the lay audience
Very interesting. Share info with a doctor I’ve worked with, of course he already knows this but it’s cool to talk about. Think our nation would be better off if the Native Americans led the way in pharma vs greedy corporations.
As a retired physician, I am amazed and disappointed by the resistance to new discoveries and good research the medical profession has shown over the centuries. Gaining insite into reasons for the resistance is informative and challenging.
I work in health care, so I am probably predisposed to find these topics interesting. In some places it was too detailed , but for the most part informative to health care geeks
Very good historical reference.
I learned so much reading this book; I’d recommend it to everyone.
Pretty slow reading, but it does have a detailed account of several important discoveries.
This book is amazing, it tells how these discoveries came about, mostly by chance, and what the ones that discovered them went through to have the public acceptance. Other doctors honing in on their discoveries or not accepting what they discovered. Also, on what it takes to name a drug, wow, that is some possess. This subject alone is worth reading this book.
Interesting, but mostly concerned with discoveries earlier than 1950. I had hoped it would look at newer medicines.
Interesting facts.
Provided me with a new perspective on many medical wonders that are taken for granted
Book did exactly what the title says. Very informative. Easy to read.
Interesting well written very well researched. Would recommend this book to most anyone that has a curiosity about how things were and are discovered