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The Moth in the Iron Lung
- A Biography of Polio
- Narrated by: Forrest Maready
- Length: 5 hrs and 54 mins
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The Moth in the Iron Lung
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Summary
A fascinating account of the world’s most famous disease - polio - told as you have never heard it before. Epidemics of paralysis began to rage in the early 1900s, seemingly out of nowhere. Doctors, parents, and health officials were at a loss to explain why this formerly unheard-of disease began paralyzing so many children - usually starting in their legs, sometimes moving up through their abdomen and arms. For an unfortunate few, it could paralyze the muscles that allowed them to breathe.
Why did this disease start to become such a horrible problem during the late 1800s? Why did it affect children more often than adults? Why was it originally called teething paralysis by mothers and their doctors? Why were animals so often paralyzed during the early epidemics when it was later discovered most animals could not become infected? The Moth in the Iron Lung is a fascinating biography of this horrible paralytic disease, where it came from, and why it disappeared in the 1950s. If you’ve never explored the polio story beyond the tales of crippled children and iron lungs, this book will be sure to surprise.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Tired mother
- 02-09-23
History is never as simple as it seems
excellent story telling from the author. A tragedy destined to be repeated as we learn nothing from history.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 28-04-24
Eye opening!!
A must read / listen ! Truly eye opening…
and do much more than the “history of polio”….!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ricky
- 01-12-22
If we learn anything from history …
…It’s that we don’t learn from history
This book gives the glaring hole in medical ethics and FDA policies the plug required.
Research 11/10
Information 11/10
Narration 11/10
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Joanna
- 16-04-19
A brilliant book!
The book shows the full story of the famous polio and how its picture presented in the official version is incomplete and very misleading. People have a tendency to jump into conclusions far too quickly and so do the scientist in particular. It very often comes at a way too much cost to the oblivious population who trust the greatest minds. The greatest minds do not like admit they were mistaken.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Toby
- 15-09-20
Fascinating account of the famous disease
Very convincing, thorough account of polio and the possible causes and subsequent treatments. Maready delves deep into the history books to bring the story to life, blending personal accounts with their wider contexts.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Katelyn boyle
- 10-07-21
Fantastic for those who know little about Polio
Coming into this book, all I knew of Polio was the iron lungs and it was those images from the internet that wanted me to learn more.
This book so incredible from start to finish. Covering a vast amount of years from the 1800s to modern day.
The research that the author has done is astounding.
A perfect book for those who want to know the history of Polio, how it came about, theories of where it came from etc.
Must read!!
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1 person found this helpful
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- Nick Thompson
- 17-02-24
Riveting, Explosive Story
Loved the story, the human narratives, the science and the deceptions arrayed in this excellent book. Essential for anyone with an interest in history, medicine, public health and how facts can be distorted through the lenses of herd perception. Read it now.
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- meme
- 28-03-24
Great overview of Polio
Very clear and well researched approach to the history of Polio. It’s so important that it’s true history is known. The use of toxic metals as medical! And the liberal use of pesticides is something we’re not taught. The author does not speculate merely tells what happened in an engaging way.
My only small dislike was the discussion on the change in polio’s diagnostic criteria resulting in a seemingly decline in cases (when in fact it was just being reclassified). The idea of a conspiracy was dismissed out of hand. When in fact with multiple stakeholders it could be both unfortunate timing and intentional deception.
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- Anonymous User
- 08-10-24
Great insight on a "threat" still demonised today.
Well read and easy to follow, it provides great insight on history and facts alike.
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- Amazon Customer
- 24-09-23
Antivax Propaganda
Be sceptical, the author is a antivaxxer and the message is polio vaccines don't work.
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