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Science
Friday > Archives
> 1997
> October
> October 31, 1997
Hour Two: Halloween Science: Folk remedies, old wives' tales, and Frankenstein's monster.
It's Halloween on Science Friday, and we'll be looking at the science behind Frankenstein's monster, physician's findings on folk remedies, and maybe a ghastly topic or two.
| Today, the National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health opens an exhibit on the story of Frankenstein's monster and what that story meant to society's perceptions of science and medicine. The tale, first published by Mary Shelley in 1818, raised an important question about what is acceptable in science. Today, the debate still rages - although now it's over nuclear power and cloning, instead of the ethics of animating cadaver parts. | 
| We'll also look at some old-time medical techniques that may keep some of you up at night. Years ago, medicine depended on methods that some people would find repulsive today, including the use of leeches, maggots, and bloodletting. Other techniques are less gory in nature, but still might seem unusual to people whose only idea of medicine is Western-style hospitals and white coats - painting wounds with honey, wrapping injured body parts with plastic wrap, and eating dirt. But though they're old, and some may find them outdated, there is actually a scientific basis to many of these folk remedies. Groups of researchers both here and abroad are investigating the science behind some of these techniques, and are finding out that in some cases, they actually work.
They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky... they're the SciFri Family.
Guests:
Robert Root-Bernstein
Co-Author
"Honey, Mud, Maggots, and other Medical Marvels"
Professor of Physiology
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Michele Root-Bernstein
Co-Author
"Honey, Mud, Maggots, and other Medical Marvels"
East Lansing, MI
Elizabeth Fee
Chief of the History of Medicine Division
National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD
Plus... an interview with James Worden, CEO and director of research and development at Solectria Corporation, makers of an electric car that drove from Boston to New York last week on a single charge.
Books/Articles Discussed:
"Honey,
Mud, Maggots and other Medical Marvels: The Science Behind Folk Remedies
and Old Wives' Tales" by Robert and Michele Root-Bernstein. Houghton
Mifflin, Inc, 1997.
Related links:
a
story from WRAL-TV Online on medical leeching
The National Phlebotomy Association
eating
dirt - Mining Company
The National Library
of Medicine Frankenstein exhibit site
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