Remedy, The
Goetz, ThomasIn 1890 when renowned German scientist Robert Koch staged a public event to demonstrate a remedy for tuberculosis, Arthur Conan Doyle, physician and creator of the fictional Sherlock Holmes was in attendance. Although Koch had discovered the TB bacillus earlier that decade, an absolute cure for the disease still remains a challenge more than a century later. Drawing together the intersecting paths of these two devotees of the progressive scientific thinking of the time, this is a captivating medical detective story with tuberculosis at its heart.
It is a fascinating easily accessible account of 19th century science and the men at the forefront establishing the beginnings of modern medicine.
Pages
298
298
Year
2014
2014
Reviews
27-07-2023
We all enjoyed the book.
27-07-2023
We all enjoyed the book. It triggered memories of family experiences in particular, and it reinforced to us the power of infectious diseases to change our lives.
27-07-2023
Very like a textbook for the first three-quarters of the book, but still an extremely enlightening read!!
27-07-2023
What a topical book at the time of the pandemic - we really enjoyed it. Shows how medicine, bacteria etc. have progressed in the last 150 years. We hadn't known of the rivalry between Koch and Pasteur. Interesting how Conan Doyle was brought into the story. TB still with us though!!
27-07-2023
We felt this was an interesting history, detailing the beginnings of modern research and medical advances. Not all were gripped by the author's style of writing. Only one of us had heard/ knew about Koch, but everyone knew of Pasteur and Lister.
27-07-2023
Clever and interesting.
27-07-2023
This was a very popular book, both for its scientific and historical content, but also for its relevance to today's Covid situation.
27-07-2023
Only a few of our members read this book. Those who did enjoyed it. The history of the scientific method, the relationship of famous 'germ theory' scientists, and the link with a famous writer made for good reading.
27-07-2023
Too heavy. Only one finished the book. But very informative.
22-05-2023
Most members enjoyed the book although felt that some technical parts were a little laboured and repetitive.
30-03-2023
Some of us like fiction and some of us prefer fact, and science. So our reaction to this book was mixed. Some of us thought it too wordy. Some thought it odd that Conan Doyle was so much part of the story, more than Pasteur. All of us learned something about diseases, conditions and life expectancy in Victorian England and the U.S.
17-11-2022
Topical. Clever. Interesting. Highly rated.
05-05-2022
We all loved it - and found it fascinating. Oddly, very few of us had heard of Koch's work, even our medical people. Sadly, Koch became his own worst enemy in the end, but his early life was fascinating. Beautifully written, Goetz's research was impeccable and the whole saga read like a novel. The connection between Koch and Conan Doyle was also interesting - as was that between Koch and Pasteur. Like a rope, all the separate stories were entwined together. Full marks!
26-04-2019
Not many read this book. Those that did thought it was great.
26-04-2019
The group members who had a science background rated 'The Remedy' highly. Other members were not as interested in the early development of science and its developing methodology, and found the link between Koch and Conan Doyle tenuous.
15-03-2019
We thought it would help to have some scientific knowledge, as it was too detailed for some. Who was he working for Everyone glad they had read it, especially for the historical knowledge.
15-03-2019
A fascinating read.
11-03-2019
This book received positive feedback from the group. We all learnt a good deal about 19th century scientific advances although some felt there was too much detail despite the fact it was written in a lively and interesting style. It was enlightening to read about the comparison of Koch to A. Conan Doyle and his character Sherlock Holmes.
20-07-2018
We found this a very interesting book with much information, but rather a dense read! We thought that the three separate stories did not blend particularly well. It is amazing that germ theory and 'modern medicine' are only a century and a half old.
20-07-2018
All found the story of discovery quite fascinating. The writing not terrific but this could be due to translation. Discussion of health and vaccination creating such an improved world in such a short time, was active and lively. Overall, enjoyed by all although not a title most of us would have read alone.