Book review: Smoking Ears And Screaming Teeth by Trevor Norton

This fascinating, funny book brings to life the scientists who carried out dangerous tests on themselves in the name of their profession.

With tales of doctors sniffing poisonous gases, medics injecting themselves with cancerous blood and scientists plunging miles into the deep sea, Trevor Norton hits exactly the right balance between facts and fun.

Beware: There are so many interesting anecdotes in this book that a friend may become annoyed at the frequency of which you mention it. Did you know that in the 18th century, grave-diggers were bribed to bury empty coffins so that doctors were able to dissect bodies? And as recently as 1971, a malaria researcher fixed cages full of mosquitoes to his arms and was bitten 3,000 times?

A fascinating read to dip into, or like me, devour from cover to cover.

9/10