The dramatic story of tuberculosis is told here in a straightforward and accessible style. It presents the stories of persons connected with the disease, either as victims, or as those who made contributions to our knowledge of it; in addition to these personal accounts, the book unfolds the history and explains the pathogenesis of TB.
The re-emergence of tuberculosis as a major American public health hazard has focused much attention on this ancient disease. This book offers a comprehensive account of the disease from prehistoric times through to the present day, detailing the attempts to eradicate it completely. Its four separate sections (the spread of tuberculosis; its infectious nature; susceptibility to it; and methods of treatment) are linked through the device of presenting individuals' particular experience of the disease, whether as as victims, or as those who made contributions to our knowledge of it; in between these vignettes, the book unfolds the history and explains the pathogenesis of TB.
A detailed medical glossary completes the volume.
Thomas M. Daniel is emeritus professor of medicine and international health and Director of the Center for International Health at Case Western Reserve University.
Reviews
Daniel's Captain of Death: The Story of Tuberculosis gives a fine introduction to the fascinating history of the disease, told in an unusually friendly manner. Daniel successfully communicates his love of the subject...and his literary style will pull the reader along effortlessly. Daniel's profound commitment to his subject is apparent. --NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE, Oct. 1998Entertaining and instructive...the book [is] readily accessible to the lay public. --SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL TIMES
Daniel's description of the modern accounts of the bio-medical response to the disease is the most compelling part of the story. --AMERICAN J. OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Vol. 11
The clarity and intelligence with which Daniel deploys his scientific knowledge to make the science of tuberculosis accessible to the general reader make this book both enjoyable and instructive. --MEDICAL HISTORY This beautifully written and thoroughly researched monograph. . . traces the history of TB from prehistory through today. It is both synoptic and chronologic in approach, and always logical and readable. --CHOICE, June 1998
