| If you fear going to the dentist The Excrutiating History of Dentistry: Toothsome Tales & Oral Oddities from Babylon to Braces by James Wynbrandt will have you feeling grateful to be alive in an era of modern dentistry. Mr. Wynbrandt's book tells in frightening detail the evolution of toothcare throughout the ages, the numerous charlatans and quacks (the term quack originated to describe unskilled, unlicensed dentists) often causing more harm through death, chronic illness, or permanent disfigurement than good.
Dentistry was performed for centuries by barber-surgeons, then by anyone who would advertise themselves as qualified before becoming a certified branch of medicine. The chemicals, potions, and curatives used to help ease pain or salvage teeth were more often then not poisonous or dangerously addictive including urine, mercury, cocaine and morphine. The history of dentistry is told in a humorous light with an incredulous tone. | ||
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Kind Of History History of a science? Yes Kind of science - Medicine Subjects of this Historical Account Is the portrayal sympathetic? - Somewhat unsympathetic Intelligence of subject of history: - Smart Main Adversary From a certain profession/group? How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - throughout most of the book. Is the portrayal sympathetic? - Somewhat Unsympathetic Setting United States Yes Europe Yes European country: - England/UK - France Writing Style How much gore? - 6 () How fast-paced is the book? - 1 () Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths Book makes you feel... - scared How much focus on stories of individuals? - Focuses on brief history of a lot of players Is book humorous? Yes If humorous, kind of humor - eccentric personalities - gentle humor Minor characters feature lots of: Pictures/Illustrations? - None Length of book - 201-250 pages How much emphasis on small details? - 7 () |
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