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American murderer : the parasite that haunted the South

Call Numbers

  • J 616.9654 JARR (CEN, OSH)
  • 616.9654 J379 TEEN (CEN, EAS, OSH, WSQ)

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Edition

First edition.

Publication Information

New York : Calkins Creek, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers, [2022]

Physical Description

159 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 27 cm.

Audience

Grades 7-9 Calkins Creek.

Summary

"Imagine microscopic worms living in the soil. They enter your body through your bare feet, travel to your intestines, and stay there for years sucking your blood like vampires. You feel exhausted. You get sick easily. It sounds like a nightmare, but that's what happened in the American South during the 1800s and early 1900s. Doctors never guessed that hookworms were making patients ill, but zoologist Charles Stiles knew better. Working with one of the first public health organizations, he and his colleagues treated the sick and showed Southerners how to protect themselves by wearing shoes and using outhouses so that the worms didn't spread. Although hookworm was eventually controlled in the United States, the parasite remains a serious health problem throughout the world. The topic of this STEM book remains relevant and will fascinate young readers interested in medicine, science, history-and gross stories about bloodsucking creatures"--

Contents

  • Vampire
  • Worm scientist
  • Unlocking secrets
  • The laziness germ : all about hookworms
  • Battling Necator
  • "Skidoo, hookworm"
  • Hookworm socials
  • The privy problem
  • A curse is lifted
  • The bloodsucker lives on.

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