ENGAGING PERSPECITVES: THE YOUNG ADULT READER Sue Christian Parsons, Ph.D. Spring 2020: History, Medical Mystery, and Hope: Books About Epidemics Covid19 is a novel virus. Human immune systems had never experienced it before so when it appeared, we were relatively defenseless against it. As scientists and medical professionals scramble to understand the virus so they can treat the illness, we struggle to adapt as our lives and social systems are affected. This particular virus is new to us but the story unfolding because of it is one humanity knows well. From prehistoric times to now, humans have been sickened by tiny but powerful enemies. Tuberculosis, Typhoid, Plague, Pellagra, Flu—these dread diseases and others have caused great suffering and for many years eluded attempts to vanquish them. There is comfort to be found in history, though. With science and determination as our weapons, we have made it through and will again. Each book in this collection tells of a real epidemic and shows how humans fought to conquer it. These true-life stories are filled with mystery, suspense, and even gore, aspects that tend to appeal to teen readers. Lively writing and intriguing images draw readers into these deftly researched pieces that bring complex concepts and complicated contexts into clarity. Throughout the set, these truths resound: The first step to defeating a disease is understanding it. Scientific discoveries offer solutions but changes in human behavior informed by those discoveries make the ultimate difference. And Diseases are not easily defeated, but neither are we. Invincible Microbe: Tuberculosis and the Never-Ending Search for a Cure by Jim Murphy and Alison Blank. (2012 Clarion Books) Murphy and Blank approach this work as a biography, of sorts—a biography of a germ that has been harming humans since prehistoric times and still lives among us today. As early humans drew together into communities, Mycobacterium tuberculosis found ideal conditions to thrive. And thrive it has, sickening people across centuries and around the globe. The authors approach this work from three angles--scientific, medical, and social—so readers get a clear understanding of the relationship between these aspects of disease. Tuberculosis has been known by a variety of names but always recognized as deadly. Over the centuries, doctors tried a wide variety of treatments, from bloodletting to sunshine. Even the touch of a king was touted as treatment in the Middle Ages. But without a clear understanding of the culprit, little progress was made. In 1882, Robert Koch announced his discovery that tuberculosis was caused by a bacterium. In 1889, Dr. Hermann Biggs initiated efforts to track cases by reporting them to the health department. The “germ” had been identified and scientists were in pursuit, but treatment options were still limited until the discovery of antibiotics in the mid 20th century. Vignettes, quotes, and photographs used liberally throughout the text keep the human experience at the forefront. Scenes from early 20th century sanitoriums spotlighting the experiences of teen residents may particularly resonate with readers. Unfortunately, tuberculosis is alive and well, still active around the globe. Murphy and Blank address current conditions such as evolution of antibiotic resistant strains, ease of spread across an increasingly connected globe, and decreases in public health budgets that threaten to give Mycobacterium tuberculosis a boost back into action.
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