Review: Dr. Mütter’s Marvels: A True Tale of Intrigue and Innovation at the Dawn of Modern Medicine by Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz |

Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Gotham; First Edition edition (September 4, 2014)
ISBN: 9781592408702
Source: Publisher

We’re all familiar with Dr. Mütter’s Philadelphia museum of oddities, filled with abnormalities of the human anatomy. However, very few of us know that Dr. Thomas Dent Mütter was a pioneer in the field of medicine and surgery.

Exposed to tragedy at an early age, Mütter came to be a renowned plastic surgeon in his twenties. Unlike most of his peers, he genuinely cared about his patients, treating them with kindness and sympathy. At this point in medical history, there was no anesthetic; patients were fully conscious during the very painful surgery. Additionally, they were sent home immediately after the surgery was performed; no convalescing in a hospital under the watchful eyes of nurses and doctors. For this reason, the majority of patients died after surgery due to infection and other ailments that would now be considered minor.

Dr. Mutter’s Marvels goes far beyond the life of Mütter himself; it’s a well-researched, truly captivating exploration of the history of the medical field in the early 19th century. Despite being a non-fiction title, the prose and flow of the book made it read like nonfiction. While there was some creative liberties taken, the benefit it provided far outweighed any negatives. Honestly, I was completely intrigued by the amount of historical detail the author added to the storyline, truly immersing the reader in the time period.

Scattered throughout this volume are detailed illustrations of Mütter’s patients with their ailments as well as excerpts from Mütter’s personal journals. These multimedia additions add another dimension to this reading experience, giving readers a visual component that truly drives in just how big of a trailblazer Mütter was for the medical profession.

Additionally, the reader is granted a glimpse inside the mind of Mütter himself. Having lost his entire family from various illnesses at an early age, it’s obvious as to why Mütter was so enamored by the medical profession. His eccentricities, like his obsession with clothing rich not only in color and detail but in quality, made him stand out as a truly unique individual. He was a genuinely captivating person; getting a glimpse of his history and his contributions to the medical profession make me respect him, and his museum, even more. His collection of macabre medical specimens wasn’t created for shock value, instead as a means for Mütter, and the medical profession, to understand human anatomy, and these shocking ailments, even more.

Dr. Mutter’s Marvels is a book that will be appreciated by a wide fan-base. It is a book that will remain a part of my permanent collection, a truly unique and rewarding reading experience. Highly, highly recommended.