Smoking Ears and Screaming Teeth

London: Century. Fine/Fine. 2010. First Edition. Hard Cover. 8vo 1846055695 Dust jacket complete, unclipped. Black cloth with bright gilt titling on spine. No ownership inscription. 404 pages clean and tight. The famous scientist Jack Haldane laid down the rules: 'Never experiment on an animal if a man will do' and 'Never ask anyone to do anything you wouldn't do yourself'. His reward for experimenting on himself was exploding teeth and ears that blew smoke rings. As we shall see, he was not alone. Many doctors self-experimented rather than expose patients to risk, and a group of pharmacists called 'The Death Battalion' tested untried drugs. At their annual dinner the most daring tester was awarded a skeleton badge. We meet researchers who took the skull and crossbones on a bottle's label as an invitation to sniff or swallow the contents. Their tipples included cholera, nail polish remover and hydrochloric acid - though never more than a pint at a time for it dissolved their teeth. Others inhaled poison gases to test a prototype gas mask or deliberately infected themselves with horrid parasites and deadly diseases. Their adventures are astonishing as well as comical, tragic and inspiring. They are related with all the wit and flair for making strange things both understandable and entertaining that have gained Trevor Norton a cult following and critical acclaim. .