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The Moth in the Iron Lung

A Biography of Polio

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The Moth in the Iron Lung

By: Forrest Maready
Narrated by: Forrest Maready
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About this listen

A fascinating account of the world’s most famous disease - polio - told as you have never heard it before. Epidemics of paralysis began to rage in the early 1900s, seemingly out of nowhere. Doctors, parents, and health officials were at a loss to explain why this formerly unheard-of disease began paralyzing so many children - usually starting in their legs, sometimes moving up through their abdomen and arms. For an unfortunate few, it could paralyze the muscles that allowed them to breathe.

Why did this disease start to become such a horrible problem during the late 1800s? Why did it affect children more often than adults? Why was it originally called teething paralysis by mothers and their doctors? Why were animals so often paralyzed during the early epidemics when it was later discovered most animals could not become infected? The Moth in the Iron Lung is a fascinating biography of this horrible paralytic disease, where it came from, and why it disappeared in the 1950s. If you’ve never explored the polio story beyond the tales of crippled children and iron lungs, this book will be sure to surprise.

©2018 Forrest Maready (P)2018 Forrest Maready History & Commentary Medicine & Health Care Industry Physical Illness & Disease World Health Health Care Medicine
All stars
Most relevant
If only this was mandatory reading how the world of medicine would change for the better.

very informative indeed.

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Such an interesting book and investigation into Polio. Would have happily listened to it for a few more hours as the subject matter and details of Polio over the years, had me enthralled.

Thoroughly interesting, kept me engaged for hours

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Easy quick read, highlighting human hubris and the media's role in causing panic. Arsenic + lead poisoning of our food.

Complicity of government

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Turns out what actually happened isn't what we'd been told. Here's what actually did happen.

Correcting what we thought we knew ...

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as a child born of the late 80s I've grown with a dramatically different story told but it never felt right. Now the puzzle fits. It is a shame to see we've not learnt much from history but it's hard too when the truth isn't taught. Wish this was taught in schools. I will ensure my children learn the truth going forward. Thank you

mind blown

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Amazing book question the myths and folk stories that still live on today and perhaps continue to affect the human decisions around their health that just don’t add up. Definitely recommend

Brilliant to see critical thinking

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Well researched and written. Thank you for being brave enough to write and this much needed and relevant information while remaining objective.

Thank you Forrest

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The smallpox and polio story as it is currently told to the public is fundamentally untrue and forms the mythology of current vaccination. At least for polio this book tells an honest history. Do not read if you don’t want to be woken up.

Stunning

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Inconvenient truths about Polio, vaccinations and public health responses. Extremely relevant in today’s continuing praise for Covid-19 vaccines. Can any health advice be taken on face value?

Detailed look into misguided medicine

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Finally someone willing to talk about an often taboo subject. We need to have more of this

Great insight

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.