Dr. Mutter's Marvels: A True Tale of Intrigue and Innovation at the Dawn of Modern Medicine

"Dr. Mutter's Marvels" is a fantastic book about an incredible man. I love to read about medical history and the stories of the institutions and physicians of Philadelphia are among the most interesting. Dr. Thomas Mutter overcame a tragic childhood to rise to prominence in Philadelphia in the early 1800s. With the limitations of the era (no electricity, no anesthesia, no cars, no sterile field in the operating room, rampant disease and high deaths rates) Mutter nonetheless became an exceptional surgeon who demonstrated compassion, not typical of the time. The author stresses his dedication, his innovations, his curiosity. He learned in France about plastic surgery and brought advanced techniques to the US. He also was the first professor to use a Socratic method in the lecture hall, to suggest that patients need to stay overnight for observation after surgery, and the first physician in Philadelphia to administer ether. He had many students, some of whom went on to become famous in their own right... all documented in the book as a testament to Mutter. The story has conflict when Dr. Charles D. Meigs, chair of obstetrics, butted heads with Mutter over many policies and philosophies. This conflict persisted right through to Mutter's death, though Mutter would be fondly remembered and respected, while Meig's star faded. And Mutter is remembered daily, by those who visit his museum in Philadelphia, where I am headed in three days! I've read this book before, and visited the museum before, and joyfully revisited the book again to prepare.The downside of the book? While I love the subject, the author's passion and enthusiasm, and details about Mutter and all the people he influences and rubbed shoulders with, the writing style is fine but not great. For example, the author dwells far too long and often on how Mutter dressed, even comparing his style with Meigs' , even as almost a comparison of their personality. Conversations are invented, almost nothing is documented, although many statements are quoted--from where we don't know. And there are some lapses--"materia medica" is defined two different ways in two different sections, etc. There's a ton of hero worship, which is understandable but it gets tiresome. Not enough criticism for me to give it anything less than four stars, but enough to detract a bit from the story. Read it! I so appreciate this doctor and am motivated by him!

I was fortunate enough to tour the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia several years ago when I was attending a week-long conference. Once of my classmates suggested that we play "hooky" and spend the afternoon at a medical museum of human oddities that she had heard about and wanted to see. Since I grew up next to a funeral home, and had seen not only deformed and damaged bodies, I also remembered some of the old texts on embalming at the funeral home that were dedicated to preparing some of the more "unique" bodies for viewing. Call it morbid or fascinating, but I have always been interested in freaks and oddities. So I jumped at the chance to see one of the best collections in the world. I was not disappointed.From my point of view, the author took the highly appropriate path of informing the reader about Thomas Dent Mutter's early childhood, the lessons he learned in medical school, and the development of his surgical practice (and techniques) at a time when rapid and radical changes were coming to the medical profession. If you think that surgical patients today have it tough, you owe it to yourself to see what our ancestors had to put up with. The word "barbaric" comes to mind.In this novel, the actual collection of Dr. Mutter is not the main focus of his story. The author takes great pains to tell us how Dr. Mutter changed the face of medicine despite the overwhelming resistance from most of the "old school" physicians. The new procedures and techniques he developed, while seeming logical and critical to success today, were often attacked by powerful doctors as being frivolous and unnecessary--and perhaps dangerous. Making his patients part of the surgical process, including proper preparation and subsequent recovery, was regarded as heresy 200 years ago.While this story was mainly a biography of Dr. Mutter, it was a very enjoyable and interesting story that was easy to read and understand. The author certainly did her homework and has presented a realistic and accurate history of one of our nations's most forward thinking surgical practitioners. If you are looking for a gift to give to a medical student (or new physician), a copy of this book will both enlighten and entertain them. The only thing better would be taking them to visit the Mutter Museum in Philly.

Really great book interesting & fascinating you can dip in and out of it!

Great little book would recommend to anyone that is inrested in the start of modern medicine

Wonderful. A big hit with my Surgeon and his team

A very interesting and informative book about the man who gave so much to the profession and created the famous Mutter Museum.

Saggio molto interessante sulla vita del famoso chirurgo. Avevo visto il museo e volevo informarmi meglio. Interessante sopratutto come spaccato di vita e costumi dell'epoca. La chirurgia era un campo ancora ignoto e lui è stato davvero un pioniere. A chi interessa l'argomento questo libro piacerà molto. Scritto in maniera semplice e comprensibile sebbene l'argomento trattato. Ben sviluppato, descrive anche tutto il background famiglia/colleghi/abitudini mediche/innovazioni del periodo. da leggere