Dr. Mèutter's marvels

Good detailed book about Mütter himself (and I want to go visit the museum now!), but even more fascinatingly, Aptowicz describes a medical profession that during Mütter's time and with his contribution, grew up rapidly from the wild guesses and savage amputations to an ever more methodical and defined profession.

Picked this book up on the recommendation of a dear friend, did not regret.

Very interesting guy, book moves along at a great pace and is just the right length. I was initially avoiding the book because I thought it would be just factoids about the museum, but it was actually a very interesting look at the dawn of medical education in the US.

This was much more interesting than I expected it to be! Dr. Mutter was a fascinating trailblazer who changed the way medicine was practiced, saving countless lives, creating procedures that are still being used in surgery today. Not only was he innovative in his techniques, but he was a great advocate for the quality of patient care and bedside manner as well as cleanliness. In his time he was only of the few medical professionals who believed that by keeping a clean and sterile environment he could avoid unnecessary deaths by infection. Despite being continuously ridiculed by a fellow doctor and professor who believed that doctors were gentlemen and therefore didn't need to wash their hands before surgery, Mutter continued to campaign for changes to the way care was given ultimately proven right. I really want to visit his museum in Philadelphia now!