Microbe Hunters

First published in 1927.

Presents twelve stories of the men who pioneered the study of bacteriology.

Inspire your students with the stories behind the achievements of ten 20th century microbiologists. These dramatic portrayals reveal the excitement, diligence, and often sacrifice of these eminent researchers and humanitarians. An engaging journey through science, and public health, 20th Century Microbe Hunters is a must-have for anyone making a foray into the fascinating world of microbiology. Important Notice: The digital edition of this book is missing some of the images or content found in the physical edition.

Built upon the foundation of Paul de Kruif's Microbe Hunters, written in 1926, but differing in that the conquest unfolds through essays by today's scientists, this book not only relates the history, but also conveys the excitement felt by the individual researchers themselves. These dramatic stories, describing major accomplishments and future challenges in medical science, serve as a beacon to guide new recruits into the battle for control of microbial diseases and provide personal models for graduate and postdoctoral students currently in biomedical research. "There are some fine ingredients here, and it is good to have them together in a single volume embracing past achievements and current and emerging problems in the control of infectious diseases." Especially enjoyed Thomas Weller's account, complete with pages of laboratory notebook, of his isolation of the agent(s) of varicella and zoster. Bernard Dixon, British Medical Journal. "The authors, all distinguished and well-known scientists, recognize the difficult challenges that lie ahead, but in general hold an optimistic view of the outcome of future research." Microbe Hunters then and now is both interesting and enjoyable to read, a timely sequel to de Kruif's original book and a solid historical document written by the microbe hunters themselves. Abner L. Notkins, Nature Medicine. To order, call: (800) 500-8205 or write: MEDI-ED Press, #5 White Place, Bloomington, IL 61701.

Traces the history of germs, discussing how germs have been viewed and treated throughout time and explains why germs now pose an even greater risk to mankind than ever before.

Carl Linnaeus - Joseph Banks - Francis Masson - Carl Peter Thunberg - David Douglas - William Lobb - Thomas Lobb - Robert Fortune - Marianne North - Richard Spruce - Joseph Dalton Hooker.

An electrifying memoir of one woman's extraordinary effort to save her husband's life-and the discovery of a forgotten cure that has the potential to save millions more. "A memoir that reads like a thriller." -New York Times Book Review "A fascinating and terrifying peek into the devastating outcomes of antibiotic misuse-and what happens when standard health care falls short." -Scientific American Epidemiologist Steffanie Strathdee and her husband, psychologist Tom Patterson, were vacationing in Egypt when Tom came down with a stomach bug. What at first seemed like a case of food poisoning quickly turned critical, and by the time Tom had been transferred via emergency medevac to the world-class medical center at UC San Diego, where both he and Steffanie worked, blood work revealed why modern medicine was failing: Tom was fighting one of the most dangerous, antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the world. Frantic, Steffanie combed through research old and new and came across phage therapy: the idea that the right virus, aka "the perfect predator," can kill even the most lethal bacteria. Phage treatment had fallen out of favor almost 100 years ago, after antibiotic use went mainstream. Now, with time running out, Steffanie appealed to phage researchers all over the world for help. She found allies at the FDA, researchers from Texas A&M, and a clandestine Navy biomedical center -- and together they resurrected a forgotten cure. A nail-biting medical mystery, The Perfect Predator is a story of love and survival against all odds, and the (re)discovery of a powerful new weapon in the global superbug crisis.

Now in full color, the Fourth Edition of this text gives students a thorough understanding of microbial agents and the pathophysiology of microbial diseases. The text facilitates learning and recall by emphasizing unifying principles and paradigms, rather than forcing students to memorize isolated facts by rote. Case studies with problem-solving questions give students insight into clinical applications of microbiology. Each chapter ends with review and USMLE-style questions. For this edition, all schematic illustrations have been re-rendered in full color and new illustrations have been added. A new online site for students includes animations, USMLE-style questions, and all schematic illustrations and photographs from the text.