Medical Mavericks: The History Of Self-Experimentation--Beating Infection
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John Hunter, surgeon to King George III, was said to have inoculated himself with a venereal disease--an example of well-intentioned research with more than one unfortunate result. Presents an overview of the battle against infectious diseases, depicting several instances in which doctors exposed themselves to syphilis, yellow fever, cholera, or other nefarious microbes in order to better understand those illnesses. Highlighting what may be the most courageous act of self-experimentation in recent history--one that eventually garnered a Nobel Prize--Dr. Barry Marshall's 1984 decision to culture a newly discovered bacterium and swallow it himself is detailed. Accessibility options on the DVD are: (1) audio description, (2) English subtitles in a black box.
Media Details
Runtime: 50 minutes
- Topic: Health and Safety
- Subtopic: Diseases and Conditions, Health Care-History
- Grade/Interest Level: 9 - 12
- Standards:
- Release Year: 2006
- Producer/Distributor: Films Media Group
- Series: Medical Mavericks: The History of Self-Experimentation
Available Resources
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