Cancer, Cocaine and Courage

by Arthur J. Beckard

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

Genres: Medical, Medicine

191 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1960

Reviews

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in the 9th grade. That and some other fortunate accidents led me to choose a career in medicine. I have never forgotten the title of this book so I finally went to Amazon to see if I could find a copy some 50 Years later. An old worn paperback arrived and sat on my To Read Pile for over 8 months. Finally I decided to see if it was as I remembered it or if my mind was making my remembrance of it up to fit my life. It turned out to be some of each.

It is the story of Dr. Halsted a pioneering surgeon in the late 19 and early 20 centuries. He also appears in another favorite medical book of mine the "Cry and the Covenant" (written in 1949 and is one of the best medical books bar none) a powerful book of the struggles of Dr Semmelweis to get physicians to wash their hands prior to examining laboring women. Semmelweis believed this was the one thing that might curtail the epidemic deaths at the time due to Childbed fever. Halsted led the similar later campaign in the 1920's and 30's to get sterilization and hand washing prior to patient examination and surgery a common practice in hospitals. (If you think it is a common practice even now notice if at your next physician visit or hospital exam an examiner washes their hands before beginnings an exam). But I will refrain to getting on that soap box.

Both of these books are great reads if you have an interest in the evolution of medical science and how long it took medicine to believe in "germs and how they are transmitted". These and "The Band Played On" about the early days of the AIDs epidemic in NYC are absorbing medical reads. It was great fun to revisit this long ago read and spark once again my own interest in the evolution of medical science.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another person I hadn’t heard of before that made incredible changes and improvements to the medical and scientific fields. The pioneer in America of the practice of scrupulously sterile operating environments, cleaning and sterilizing instruments, tools, and linens, using silk thread instead of catgut thread or horsehair from the ambulance horses (!) I loved the atmosphere of the free market of ideas during the formational years of most of Halsted’s career amongst his international colleagues (before WWI). I loved his heart for educating the next generations of surgery students under his strict regulations in order to raise up an army of life-saving surgeons who practiced with the safety of both patient and staff in mind. I admired greatly his determination to do what he saw as right—always thinking of the end goal of preserving life—even to the unforeseen detriment of his own health and career for several years. I also appreciated the real sense of the ‘team’ efforts that prevailed—from his earlier days as a star athlete to the numerous relationships he formed with other colleagues. He carried that ‘we’ attitude with him wherever he went and recognized that he was propelled by many others, humbly accepting accolades while maintaining the group efforts of others pouring into him. A part of Halsted’s life includes experimenting with cocaine on himself and a few colleagues initially with the goal of testing its usage as an anesthetic. Halsted becomes addicted to the drug, and following a public breakdown and private intervention by family and friends, seeks out recovery both by total rest (at sea with a trusted friend who was also a dr) and gradual reduction of cocaine dosages as well as medical treatment in a rehab hospital. He goes on to make more significant contributions to medicine.

Content considerations:

the nature of the book may be troubling to sensitive readers. Right from the start, an anecdote of Halsted performing a dissection upon a frog he found is discussed. There are plenty of other surgical events (both human and animal) described throughout the rest of the book. For all his being a renowned surgeon these procedures are not described in detail that is too descriptive or graphic, but they are included. One instance modern readers may read too much into is in a case involving a man named Alexander suffering from a potentially fatal bullet wound. The author describes Halsted viewing the man ‘like a wounded animal, ignorant and trusting.’ My own concrete belief is that it is not describing the suffering man inferior or animal like, but rather as one in blinding pain. Having been in a similar situation myself, I too was like a wounded animal—blissfully and completely ignorant of what happened, why I was in such pain, what it would take to get better, never understanding how truly close to dying I was until long after. Yes, there is ignorance in a sudden medical emergency occurring. And a trusting faith that it will work out somehow, that the doctors will fix it. Based on Halsted’s actions and attitudes described throughout the book, I personally read the inclusion of Alexander being a black man (using the outdated term of Negro) to demonstrate that Halsted’s practice knew no man-made limits of performing where he was needed. However, other readers may see this part of the story differently.

As mentioned already, part of Halsted’s life includes experimenting with cocaine on himself and a few colleagues initially with the goal of testing its usage as an anesthetic. They obtain it from South America, and the terms ‘natives’ and ‘Indians’ are both used to describe the people and their methods of using cocaine. A colonial doctor based in the area refers to his female assistants as ‘natives’ that were ‘basically useless’ for his surgeries. Halsted becomes addicted to the cocaine, and it is the revelation that one of his colleagues had died from it that convinced him to follow instructions toward overcoming his addiction.

As a side note, this book may benefit from being read *after* other biographies about Louis Pasteur and Dr Lister, as both men and their varied impacts upon the medical community are referenced, and Lister himself was a contemporary to Halsted.

[Fábio Pinto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ótima leitura

Para amantes da história da medicina e cirurgia, um ótimo livro para conhecer melhor a história de um dos maiores nomes da medicina. Apesar de por vezes um pouco superficial, um livro que detalha a genialidade desse ícone

[Angelina Semichan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommend

I enjoyed every page of this book. Extraordinary man’s life.
Recommend to read your specially to the doctors
Have fun

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book the first time in Jr. High Scool and remember checking it out of the library multiple times. I was fascinated with the life and accomplishments of Dr. William Halsted, his dedication, commitment the aseptic surgical procedures, infection prevention and saving lives. His astonishing courage, vision, changing handwashing, sterlization procedures, blood transfusions, etc. The first physician in America to practice sterile techinques and his diligence to change practices and teach. I was fascinated in anything medical and surgery, which eventually lead me to surgical trauma ICU nursing for 44 years.

I recently found an old copy, exactly like the one I remembered at an estate sale. This copy from Omar Jr. High School, Omar,West Va. Includes the library card with borrowers name and Date Due. It was every bit as good as I remember.

[Motaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

Surgery and all that it stands for...
An amazing history of Dr Halsted and a pivotal part of surgical history ⚙.