AN AMERICAN DOCTOR'S ODYSSEY

by Victor Heiser ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 29, 1936

Dr. Heiser has battled for 20 years, in 45 countries, under the banner of the Rockefeller Foundation. He has encircled the world 16 times in his pursuit of the diseases that devastate mankind. Now, in the past months, he has brought together this material in a volume which tells of the habits and customs of people of the earth and the havoc that has been caused by hook worm, yellow fever, black death, small . leprosy and so on. The book is not a personal story. He never indulged in a personal life for so it would seem). His life was one of educating people to the need of sanitation, and a better understanding of the sicknesses carried by animals and humans. The history of disease -- the efforts of science to combat it -- descriptions of personalities met in the struggle -- all this is here, but not a picture of an American doctor as a human being. In this sense the book bears no resemblance to Arches of the Years (Sutherland), nor to San Michele. It is not so original as Rats. Lice and History. Nor so inspiring as A Soldier in Science. Possibly, the wide success of these books has built a market for it with the general public, but my feeling is that it is intended rather for the medical profession and allied fields, for social workers, anthropologists, people concerned with problems of human welfare and the progress of science. The book is not written in popular vein. Three quarters of it is tough sledding and should be taken in portions, not at a sitting.

Pub Date: Aug. 29, 1936

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Norton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1936

Categories: NONFICTION