Submitter: We had the following come in as an eBook request that I have turned down. On the outside this book looked promising, and then I got to the part about giving kids a compound that the Food and Drug Administration warns amounts to industrial bleach. Were open to different opinions, but this is a big old Nope!
Informed Consent
Cowles
1976
Breast cancer in the 1970s was almost barbaric in terms of treatment and compounded by the treatment of women’s health by the medical community. First Lady Betty Ford was diagnosed in 1974 and was instrumental in bringing awareness to breast cancer. Radical mastectomy was the default treatment of breast cancer and women were given very few options or information about treatment. In many cases, women were in surgery for a biopsy and if it was positive, a complete mastectomy was performed at the same time.
Cancer: Can it be Stopped?
Silverstein and Silverstein
1987 (original copyright 1972)
This book seemed to be aimed at a young adult audience, although I found it in the adult nonfiction section of a small public library. The information is no doubt out of date, particularly with respect to treatments. The tone of these books is bleak and not too optimistic with respect to survival. No one wants a patron facing a desperate medical diagnosis to rely on books this old.
It would be great if everyone would have a lot of time to drop everything and weed whenever. I know that isn’t always the case, however staff can and should prioritize certain collections over others.The changes in some content has very real world consequences for our patrons.
How the doctor knows you’re fine
Cobb
1973
I’m not a fan of this title. The illustrations are giving me the creeps. Take a look at the last picture and then tell me you want to go get all your vaccinations updated. The details are kind of bothersome as well. I don’t think well visits will be as naked as this book indicates. I think they would happily give anyone a gown or some kind of covering.
Breast Cancer
The Complete Guide
Hirshaut and Pressman
1992
This is a book to weed. Before you toss it into the weeding pile, you might want to consider using this item as a concrete example of why we we weed. Breast cancer treatment has made huge strides since this book was published.
The Doctor Prescribes Fox 1949 This is one of those small booklets that advise patients on basic wellness. In other words, what to do when you are stressed-50s style. Phones and deadlines are “lethal weapons designed to commit civilized suicide”.
