From Leeches to Slug Glue: 25 Explosive Ideas that Made (and Are Making) Modern Medicine
on Goodreads (30)
What’s inside...
Discover fascinating facts about the history of medicine in this engaging book. Learn about the world's first eye surgeon from India, a self-taught physician from Persia who wrote a standard textbook for 600 years, and a seventeenth-century European cloth merchant who discovered microorganisms. Be inspired by the stories of extraordinary individuals behind significant medical breakthroughs, and explore groundbreaking ideas, trivia, and factoids that challenge your perceptions of health and healing. This book is a captivating journey through 2500 years of medical innovations that continue to shape modern medicine.
Discussion points
What invention in the book did you find most surprising, and why?
How do you think medicine has changed people’s lives over the years?
If you could invent something to improve health, what would it be?
Why is it important for scientists and doctors to keep discovering new things?
Which medical hero in the book inspired you the most and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Enhance curiosity by asking your child to imagine living in a time without modern medicine.
Encourage critical thinking by discussing how each invention affected people’s lives.
Promote empathy by exploring the challenges faced by medical pioneers in the book.
Connect learning to the real world by identifying medical tools or medicines in your home and discussing their origins as mentioned in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity and innovation are key to progress
Explanation: The book discusses various groundbreaking medical discoveries, emphasizing the role of curiosity and innovative thinking in advancing modern medicine.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to ask questions and think creatively, potentially fostering a love for science and exploration.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: Each medical advancement in the book overcame significant hurdles, teaching that determination can lead to breakthroughs despite obstacles.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to persevere through difficulties in their own endeavors, whether in academics, sports, or personal goals.
Example Lesson: The importance of ethics in science
Explanation: The book touches on ethical considerations in medical experiments and inventions, highlighting the responsibility that comes with scientific progress.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand the value of ethical decision-making in everyday life, from group projects to personal interactions.
Example Lesson: Collaboration for greater achievements
Explanation: Many medical advancements were made possible through teamwork. The book showcases how collaboration among scientists has led to significant health improvements.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to value teamwork, showing them that working with others can lead to bigger accomplishments.