The Mold in Dr. Florey's Coat

The Mold in Dr. Florey's Coat: The Story of the Penicillin Miracle by Eric Lax Summary: The untold story of the discovery of the first wonder drug, the men who led the way, and how it changed the modern world The discovery of penicillin in 1928 ushered in a new age in medicine. But it took a team of Oxford scientists headed by Howard Florey and Ernst Chain four more years to develop it as the first antibiotic, and the most important family of drugs in the twentieth century. At once the world was transformed—major bacterial scourges such as blood poisoning and pneumonia, scarlet fever and diphtheria, gonorrhea and syphilis were defeated as penicillin helped to foster not only a medical revolution but a sexual one as well. In his wonderfully engaging book, acclaimed author Eric Lax tells the real story behind the discovery and why it took so long to develop the drug. He reveals the reasons why credit for penicillin was misplaced, and why this astonishing achievement garnered a Nobel Prize but no financial rewards for Alexander Fleming, Florey, and his team. The Mold in Dr. Florey’s Coat is the compelling story of the passage of medicine from one era to the next and of the eccentric individuals whose participation in this extraordinary accomplishment has, until now, remained largely unknown. Angie’s comments: The discovery of penicillin is far more interesting than the story I was told in school. It wasn’t a stroke of luck as much as a stroke of luck at the beginning and much hard work afterwards. Many people had to work hard to make the drug. It is also provides an insight into World War II and the effect military has on research. Recommended for readers of medical history.  Request this item