Robert M. Youngson’s Medical Curiosities (Robinson, London, £6.99, ISBN
1 85487 902 2) is worth a read, if only to discover that barbiturates are named
after a Munich waitress called Barbara, who donated all her urine for chemical
study. There are plenty of other fascinating anecdotes here, but like many books
of this kind, it lacks both organisation and an index. You have to wade through
much mediocrity to grab a gem.
More from New ¾«¶«´«Ã½
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending New ¾«¶«´«Ã½ articles
1
Fully autonomous drones have killed human soldiers for the first time
2
Toy universe shows that time could be a quantum illusion
3
What is a ‘normal’ memory slowdown, and when should I worry?
4
Understanding anorexia’s grip on the brain could unlock new therapies
5
El Niño has started and the weather could get weird
6
A nuclear war between India and Pakistan could destroy the ozone layer
7
First working nuclear clock heralds a new era in timekeeping
8
Half the world's reservoirs could be clogged up with dirt by 2060
9
Mysterious ‘cold blob’ in the Atlantic suggests the AMOC is weakening
10
New ¾«¶«´«Ã½ recommends a brilliant take on the evolution of birds
