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Science-Technology Title: The Malaria Project The Malaria Project: The U.S. Government's Secret Mission to Find a Miracle Cure
Karen M. Masterson 6 Customer Reviews Description Released: Oct 7, 2014. 409 pages. Large file size: 14 MB. Title may take longer to download A fascinating and shocking historical exposé, The Malaria Project is the story of America's secret mission to combat malaria during World War II—a campaign modeled after a German project which tested experimental drugs on men gone mad from syphilis. American war planners, foreseeing the tactical need for a malaria drug, recreated the German model, then grew it tenfold. Quickly becoming the biggest and most important medical initiative of the war, the project tasked dozens of the country’s top research scientists and university labs to find a treatment to remedy half a million U.S. troops incapacitated by malaria. Spearheading the new U.S. effort was Dr. Lowell T. Coggeshall, the son of a poor Indiana farmer whose persistent drive and curiosity led him to become one of the most innovative thinkers in solving the malaria problem. He recruited private corporations, such as today's Squibb and Eli Lilly, and the nation’s best chemists out of Harvard and Johns Hopkins to make novel compounds that skilled technicians tested on birds. Giants in the field of clinical research, including the future NIH director James Shannon, then tested the drugs on mental health patients and convicted criminals—including infamous murderer Nathan Leopold. By 1943, a dozen strains of malaria brought home in the veins of sick soldiers were injected into these human guinea pigs for drug studies. After hundreds of trials and many deaths, they found their “magic bullet,” but not in a U.S. laboratory. America 's best weapon against malaria, still used today, was captured in battle from the Nazis. Called chloroquine, it went on to save more lives than any other drug in history. Karen M. Masterson, a journalist turned malaria researcher, uncovers the complete story behind this dark tale of science, medicine and war. Illuminating, riveting and surprising, The Malaria Project captures the ethical perils of seeking treatments for disease while ignoring the human condition.
Customer Reviews Most Helpful Customer Reviews 5 of 5 people found this review helpful: A chilling tale October 30, 2014 by Henry R. Rupp "Impaired collector" The story of the United States' effort to combat the malaria that wreaked havoc on American troops during World War II is one that describes heroic efforts by scientists in their battle against Plasmodium as well as detailing the questionable conduct of those responsible for testing the drugs that might cure malaria. It is ironic that the German doctor who experimented on prisoners at Dachau was hanged for his efforts, while no American scientist was taken to task for their use of demented syphillitics or insane people as guinea pigs.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful: the greatest scourge in human history December 23, 2014 by Stephen Young Amazon Verified Purchase Karen Masterson's book is a fascinating read, a deep dive into the lively history of the U.S. government's efforts to discover a wonder cure for malaria, the greatest scourge in human history. The section on how research into a cure for malaria led, almost accidentally, to a partially effective treatment for syphilis is a real-life page- turner. The careful descriptions of malaria research in the Nazi death camps versus U.S programs using prisoners is a compelling tale in shades of dark gray. But the most important part of Masterson's book is her conclusion: that the Read more A very interesting and good read about an important topic January 11, 2015 by David M. A very interesting and good read about an important topic. Very relevant for understanding how to address other public health issues. Karen M. Masterson Discover books, read about the author, find related products, and more. Read More on the Author's Page Sales Rank: #427,123 Paid in Kindle Store Language: English Print Length: 409 pages Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0451467329 Released: Oct 7, 2014 Publisher: NAL Sold By: Penguin Group (USA) LLC File Size: 14 MB ASIN: B00INIJLS8 Product Details View this title on Amazon.com Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest I'm still pissed we can't get quinine any more, based on a very small number of people with bad reactions. It also happens to be a miracle drug in suppressing massive cramping which I get occasionally after unusual physical efforts.
By 1943, a dozen strains of malaria brought home in the veins of sick soldiers were injected into these human guinea pigs for drug studies. After hundreds of trials and many deaths, they found their “magic bullet,” but not in a U.S. laboratory. America 's best weapon against malaria, still used today, was captured in battle from the Nazis. Called chloroquine, it went on to save more lives than any other drug in history. So despite recruiting our own band of Dr. Mengeles to abuse prisoners and helpless mental patients, we still had to steal the cure from the Nazis. How many millions of lives did the Nazis (unintentionally) save in the tropics as a result of their research? Probably more than the people they killed in WW II. Certainly, at some point, that scale will balance. Chloroquinine has been largely replaced by other drugs in the modern medical arsenal. Wiki:
#2. To: TooConservative (#1) ------- after unusual physical efforts. Hmmm.... Is this something you can share with us? -- Just saw the author interview of this book on Cspan. Fascinating.
#3. To: TooConservative (#1) Quinine was also frequently prescribed in the US as an off-label treatment for nocturnal leg cramps, but this has become less prevalent due to a Food and Drug Administration statement warning against the practice. Never knew this. Back in the day when I finished a LOT of concrete, I had leg cramps that drove me crazy.
#4. To: tpaine (#2) ------- after unusual physical efforts. Stuff like a really unusual amount of horseback riding. For men, cramping usually occurs after physical efforts far beyond the usual daily routines. Some families are more susceptible. My dad got them too and that is where I learned how effective quinine can be. I'm actually hoarding the last of his old quinine stash even though they are long past their date (but still effective). I'm not talking about puny cramps. I'm talking about major leg cramps that hit very suddenly in the middle of the night and incapacitate you for 10-20 minutes until the muscle completely exhausts itself. Vomiting from it is not unusual. The next day, it makes your muscles very sore. Again, not everybody gets these and it does seem to hit some families more than others. I suppose Darwin will eventually sort it all out. : )
#5. To: tpaine (#3) Back in the day when I finished a LOT of concrete, I had leg cramps that drove me crazy. Brother, I know what you're talking about. Too bad no one ever told you about quinine. Miracle drug for cramping in men (not sure if it works for lady cramps). As long as I didn't forget to take it, I never got cramps. Never.
#6. To: TooConservative (#5) Vomiting from it is not unusual. The next day, it makes your muscles very sore. Never vomited, but I had one that lasted over a day.. My Kaiser doctors never mentioned quinine.. Bastards...
#7. To: tpaine (#6) My Kaiser doctors never mentioned quinine.. Bastards... Maybe 10-12 years ago, the FDA recommended against it and it became harder to keep a prescription for it. I get their point, people should not take it every day to eliminate cramping. But a dozen times a year for occasional sufferers is far less of a health risk to patients than many many other drugs that are readily prescribed constantly by those same doctors. Obviously, I disagree with the quinine recommendation. It reminds me of when the FDA recommended no more codeine cough syrups about 20 years ago. It became very hard to get it but if you have a sympathetic doctor, you can still get a prescription as long as it is no more than a bottle of cough syrup every year or two. IOW, only enough for when you really need it and not available to the kiddies.
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