Title: The discovery of insulin /
Authors: Bliss, Michael, 1941-2017
Publisher: University of Chicago Press,
Year: 2007
Subjects: Banting, F. G.; Macleod, J. J. R.; Insulin; History, 20th Century; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 drug therapy; Insulin history; Diabetes Research History.; Insulin History.; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 drug therapy Canada.; History, 20th Century Canada.; Canada
Abstract: When insulin was discovered in the early 1920s, even jaded professionals marveled at how it brought starved, sometimes comatose diabetics back to life. In this now-classic study, Michael Bliss unearths a wealth of material, ranging from scientists' unpublished memoirs to the confidential appraisals of insulin by members of the Nobel Committee. He also resolves a longstanding controversy dating to the awarding of the Nobel to F.G. Banting and J.J.R. Macleod for their work on insulin: because each insisted on sharing the credit with an additional associate, medical opinion was intensely divided over the allotment of credit for the discovery. Bliss also offers a wealth of new detail on such subjects as the treatment of diabetes before insulin and the life-and-death struggle to manufacture it.
Contents: A long prelude -- Banting's idea -- The summer of 1921 -- "A mysterious something" -- Triumph -- "Unspeakably wonderful" -- Resurrection -- Who discovered insulin? -- Honoring the prophets -- A continuing epilogue.