Red Madness: How a Medical Mystery Changed What We Eat

One hundred years ago, an epidemic spread across the American South, striking down young and old, men and women, black and white. The disease left its victims weak, disfigured, insane, and—in the worst cases—dead. No one knew its cause or how to treat it as it forged a path of terror through communities and families. Red Madness tells the story of how doctors, public health officials, and scientists finally defeated pellagra, “one of the most horrible, pitiful afflictions mankind has ever suffered.” The book includes stories about real pellagra victims based on early twentieth-century medical reports and newspaper articles; accounts of scientific investigations; sidebars on cotton mills, sharecroppers and tenant farmers, vitamins, the U.S. Public Health Service; more than 100 photographs, maps, and posters; a glossary; a timeline; recommended books and websites; an author’s note; source notes; a bibliography, and an index.

* andquot;. . . This is a highly detailed look at the difficulties of disease control before modern medicine. Jarrow makes clear how societal attitudes hampered efforts to end the scourge as well as the vulnerability of the poor and marginalized. The many photographs also reveal the devastating nature of the disease. . . andquot;The attractive, red-highlighted design, lively narrative and compelling subject matter will resonate with readers.andquot; --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

One hundred years ago, a mysterious and alarming illness spread across America's South, striking tens of thousands of victims. No one knew what caused it or how to treat it. People were left weak, disfigured, insane, and in some cases, dead. Award-winning science and history writer Gail Jarrow tracks this disease, commonly known as pellagra, and highlights how doctors, scientists, and public health officials finally defeated it. Illustrated with 100 archival photographs, Red Madness includes stories about real-life pellagra victims and accounts of scientific investigations. It concludes with a glossary, timeline, further resources, author's note, bibliography, and index.

Award-winning science and history writer Gail Jarrow tracks this disease, commonly known as pellagra, and highlights how doctors, scientists, and public health officials finally defeated it. Illustrated with 100 archival photographs, Red Madness includes stories about real-life pellagra victims and accounts of scientific investigations. It concludes with a glossary, timeline, further resources, author's note, bibliography, and index. This book is perfect to share with young readers looking for a historical perspective of the Covid-19/Coronavirus pandemic that is gripping the world today.