Murder, Magic and Medicine
Created | Updated Jun 26, 2005
Book Review: (part of the Popular Science Book Project - A4166336)
Murder, Magic, and Medicine - John Mann
A highly readable account of natural chemicals and their uses by humans, this book begins by examining various plant, bacterial, fungal and animal toxins, and their historic uses, from arrow poisons to the murders of Classical Rome. Being essentially about the human use of natural products, there is only a passing mention of snakes and venom in the context of Cleopatra's supposed investigations into comfortable methods of suicide.
The second section of the book deals with many of the numerous natural psychoactive chemicals used and abused by humans across the world and throughout the ages, with information on their chemical structures and physiological actions, and typical uses and kinds of experience reported by various users.
The final section of the book, just under half the total length, covers many medicinal uses of natural chemicals and their derivatives or synthetic analogues, though without more than a passing reference to antibiotics, which are covered in 'The Elusive Magic Bullet" by the same author.
This well-written, wide ranging and informative book is well worth considering for people interested in some of the science behind some of the most the useful (or dangerous) products of the natural world.
Murder, Magic, and Medicine - John Mann
A highly readable account of natural chemicals and their uses by humans, this book begins by examining various plant, bacterial, fungal and animal toxins, and their historic uses, from arrow poisons to the murders of Classical Rome. Being essentially about the human use of natural products, there is only a passing mention of snakes and venom in the context of Cleopatra's supposed investigations into comfortable methods of suicide.
The second section of the book deals with many of the numerous natural psychoactive chemicals used and abused by humans across the world and throughout the ages, with information on their chemical structures and physiological actions, and typical uses and kinds of experience reported by various users.
The final section of the book, just under half the total length, covers many medicinal uses of natural chemicals and their derivatives or synthetic analogues, though without more than a passing reference to antibiotics, which are covered in 'The Elusive Magic Bullet" by the same author.
This well-written, wide ranging and informative book is well worth considering for people interested in some of the science behind some of the most the useful (or dangerous) products of the natural world.
