If you want to read a fascinating history of how the medical world resisted germ theory, read Lindsey Fitzharris's book "The Butchering Art". His mention of Europe's acceptance of Lister's ideas, but it took years and years for that to take place. It's amazing what hindsight gives us to appreciate how stupid we can be.
Millard's book is fabulous and full of memorable details. Another point is that they tried to use a primitive form of air conditioning -- by blowing air over ice -- to cool the President's room during the typically sweltering summer days of Washington.
I often think how it was very possible to have lived through the assassinations of three presidents, not to mention the Civil War, if you were born in the 1850s and lived into the early 20th century. Plus railroads, the telephone, the car, and electric lights.
I was looking for the reference to Williams somewhere -- well placed in the footnote. Wasn't he also on his way to Williams when he was shot?
I used that book one semester in my US History survey. It is quite good. Candace Millard is coming to my part of the world to speak about her new book at a nearby community college in April and I am moderating a panel on her work.
If you want to read a fascinating history of how the medical world resisted germ theory, read Lindsey Fitzharris's book "The Butchering Art". His mention of Europe's acceptance of Lister's ideas, but it took years and years for that to take place. It's amazing what hindsight gives us to appreciate how stupid we can be.
Thanks for the suggestion. I just put the book into my Audible queue.
Millard's book is fabulous and full of memorable details. Another point is that they tried to use a primitive form of air conditioning -- by blowing air over ice -- to cool the President's room during the typically sweltering summer days of Washington.
I often think how it was very possible to have lived through the assassinations of three presidents, not to mention the Civil War, if you were born in the 1850s and lived into the early 20th century. Plus railroads, the telephone, the car, and electric lights.
I was looking for the reference to Williams somewhere -- well placed in the footnote. Wasn't he also on his way to Williams when he was shot?
I used that book one semester in my US History survey. It is quite good. Candace Millard is coming to my part of the world to speak about her new book at a nearby community college in April and I am moderating a panel on her work.