Thomas Dent Mütter was orphaned as a young boy. Despite suffering from illness all his life, the young Mütter went on to pursue a degree in medicine. Eventually, his curiosity led him to the practice of plastic surgery, where he dedicated his skills to helping people labeled as "monsters" by society. Mütter's ideas and surgical techniques proved to be innovative, but his flamboyant style and popularity with students sometimes clashed with other doctors. Mütter's forward thinking lead to advances in cleanliness in the operating room, the use of anesthetic, and compassionate care.
Throughout his career, Dr. Mütter collected all types of specimens. While some may view these collections as medical oddities, Dr. Thomas Dent Mütter collected the items with the intent of supplementing his medical lectures. Due to continuing ill health, Dr. Mütter died young, but before he did, he left behind the legacy that is now the Mütter Museum.
The Bottom Line: Despite the length of the book, this was a fairly quick read. Author Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz approaches her subject with enthusiasm and compassion. Dr. Mütter was a fascinating man. He was a pioneer in his field who made many lasting contributions to the field of medicine. I especially enjoyed reading the notes written by Dr. Mütter. This well-written biography is highly recommended for readers interested in medicine, surgery, medical collections, and American history. A background in medicine is not required to understand and enjoy this book; however, descriptions of surgical procedures may bother some readers. This book contains more than 80 black and white photos and illustrations.
Details: Dr. Mütter's Marvels: A True Tale of Intrigue and Innovation at the Dawn of Modern Medicine by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz. ARC published by Gotham Books in 2014. 384 p. ISBN: 978-1-592-40870-2 NOTE: I received a free copy from Gotham Books in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible by the Early Reviewers program atLibraryThing.
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