Miracle Cure: Story of Antibiotics by Milton Wainwright

Synopsis: In this non-specialist account of the discovery of penicillin, streptomycin and other antibiotics, Milton Wainwright draws together historical facts about the pioneers of some six thousand antibiotics which have been described to date. He discusses the antecedents of antibiotics, providing evidence to show that moulds have been used in folk medicine since antiquity to treat infections. A description of the even more bizarre use of live maggots to treat bacterial infections shows the desperate measures to which doctors had to resort before the advent of antibiotics. The book concludes with a section on recent developments in antibiotic research, including their use in the treatment of cancer and viral infections such as AIDS.

Published: 1991 | ISBN-13: 978-0631164920

Author’s Homepage: http://miltonwainwright.com
Author’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/m_wainwright_uk

100 years ago there were no antibiotics, a scratch could kill you (and often did). Then came the sulfa drugs, followed by penicillin, tetracyclines, streptomycin and all the rest. Taken for granted by the public – who have never given scientists the credit for these life-saving substances – and abused by the farming industry (amongst others), unless we discover some more, it may be back to the 1910s. – From 10 Great Books on Chemistry (2)

Publishers Weekly Book Review
Core Book Review [pdf]

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