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The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth and Other Curiosities from the History of Medicine
The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth and Other Curiosities from the History of Medicine | Thomas Morris
17 posts | 15 read | 49 to read
A mysterious epidemic of dental explosions... A teenage boy who got his wick stuck in a candlestick... A remarkable woman who, like a human fountain, spurted urine from virtually every orifice... These are just a few of the anecdotal gems that have until now lain undiscovered in medical journals for centuries. This fascinating collection of historical curiosities explores some of the strangest cases that have perplexed doctors across the world. From seventeenth-century Holland to Tsarist Russia, from rural Canada to a whaler in the Pacific, many are monuments to human stupidity such as the sailor who swallowed dozens of penknives to amuse his shipmates, or the chemistry student who in 1850 arrived at a hospital in New York with his penis trapped inside a bottle, having unwisely decided to relieve himself into a vessel containing highly reactive potassium. Others demonstrate exceptional surgical ingenuity long before the advent of anaesthesia such as a daring nineteenth-century operation to remove a metal fragment from beneath a conscious patients heart. We also hear of the weird, often hilarious remedies employed by physicians of yore from crows vomit to port-wine enemas the hazards of such everyday objects as cucumbers and false teeth, and miraculous recovery from apparently terminal injuries. Blending fascinating history with lacerating wit, The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth will take you on a tour of some of the funniest, strangest and most wince-inducing corners of medical history.
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jenniferw88
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Pickpick

4.5 ⭐

63 likes3 stack adds
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shanaqui

This is really pretty meh? Bunch of hoaxes, some lucky cases where horrible injury was somehow avoided, only a handful of things that I genuinely find interesting. But I'm picky and the horrific injury stuff just grosses me out.

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StaceyKondla
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Pickpick

I finished listening to this while I was washing dishes today. Horrific and hilarious! I enjoyed it immensely

32 likes1 stack add
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JessNevertheless
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Five books, three completely from start to finish, and I'm done! Feel like this readathon has helped take my mind off other stresses, while also pushing me to take time to enjoy things I love. It's been great reading with you all! #24in48 #readathon @24in48

Jas16 🙌🏽 5y
LauraJ 👏🏼 🍾 5y
AmyG Wow! 🎉🎉🎉 5y
See All 8 Comments
24in48 Amazing! 5y
mrp27 🎉🎉🎉🎉 5y
Megabooks Awesome!! 🥳🥳🎉🎉👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😎😁💃🏻 5y
LibrarianRyan Yeahh. ⭐️👍💗 5y
Librarybelle Congratulations! 5y
55 likes8 comments
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JessNevertheless
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My building will start balcony repairs in about a week, blocking my view and favorite reading space all summer 🙁. Making the most of the time I have left though and the favorable temperatures to read outside as much as I can today. Starting off the morning with coffee and this delightful medical history book! ☕👩🏻‍⚕️

cariashley Wow great view in the meantime! Where are you? 5y
JessNevertheless @cariashley I'm in DC! Even if I'm losing this view for a few months, at least I'm a short walk away to the cherry blossoms 🌸🌸 5y
68 likes2 comments
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howjessicareads
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Pickpick

So weird and so interesting. #howjessreadsin2019

90 likes3 stack adds
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ElleSkel
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Hey folks! Taking a minute to say hello and I miss you!! @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks thank you so much for dropping me a line via snail mail. It really helped snap me out of a serious grad school meltdown. I can‘t post as often anymore, and I def have less time to read for fun, but I will try to be better at checking in! I did start this the other day and so far I am loving it. Here‘s hoping I get to finish it before I finish my MLIS 🤪

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks You‘re welcome!! We miss you!! ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
46 likes1 comment
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BeththeBookDragon
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Starting a new book tonight!

56 likes5 stack adds
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rabbitprincess
Pickpick

With a title like that, how could I resist? This was indeed wryly hilarious and is one of those books you'll read aloud to people until they tell you to stop (apparently my BF didn't need play-by-play of the woman who peed through her nose). Recommended if you like reading about the history of medicine.

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Gina
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Pickpick

So if your a fan of medicine AND history this book is calling to you. I must say those Victorian doctors sure loved to use enemas. And the poisons they thought would cure people, it's a wonder we are still here!

15 likes1 stack add
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Gina
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WoW! These are some fancy shindigs.

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Gina
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John K King used and rare books. They hand you a map when you walk in cuz the store is so big! Ummmm, yes please!

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/john-k-king-used-rare-books?utm_medium=atlas...

speljamr Road trip! 5y
Gina @speljamr oh heck yeah! 5y
14 likes2 comments
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rachlols
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Pickpick

Lots of fun stories from the history of medicine, though some are not suitable for the weak of stomach! Quick read, and the author's commentary was a cheeky and enjoyable addition. #history #scientificnonfiction

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Grrlbrarian
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I love nonfiction! This bingo challenge👌 Got my first square sorted yesterday with this amusing if grisly collection of anecdotes from medical history. 10/10 would recommend, and on I go. Thanks, @Riveted_Reader_Melissa #NonfictionMatters

twohectobooks Ooh, great idea! Something to try in a future year maybe.. 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Great start!!! 5y
36 likes2 comments
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Grrlbrarian
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Pre-dinner reading. Believe it or not, the wry humor in the writing renders this book laugh-out-loud funny 😂😂😂

Reviewsbylola This sounds awesome! Stacking. 5y
46 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Liberty
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Lunch reading! 🦷💥📚

scowler1 I've heard of exploding teeth in extreme cold. OMFG!💥OWWW! 5y
Tamra Oh good grief! 5y
Jess I love that you just happened to have teeth lying around for this picture! Nice. 5y
Liberty @Jess They‘re magnets! 🧲 🦷 5y
Bklover What @Jess said! 5y
119 likes15 stack adds5 comments