This is a storytelling podcast that discusses the NON-chronological history of medicine (Because going in order sucks). A discussion of diseases, discoveries, and the doctors that left their mark (and sometimes scar) on the field of medicine. Things are going to get weird. Episodes released twice monthly for your auditory consumption. Music: The Road (Punk Rock Opera). Tom Podell (digital alteration of Wellcome Library historical watercolor CC by 4.0)
The Honorable Doctor John and The less Honorable Doctor Guy
Doctor John and Doctor Guy chit chat about the great Ambroise Pare. The French Barber Surgeon whose tight fades and man perms could only be out done by his battlefield surgical prowess and ingenious prosthesis designs. This rousing episode includes lots of amputations, some essential oils, ligatures, and a guest appearance by everyone's favorite magical stone.
Doctor John and Doctor Guy discuss Chagas Disease and the "Kissing Bug." Nothing says "I love you" like a parasitic infection caused by a bug that defecates near your mouth after it kisses (bites) you.
The honorable doctor John and less honorable doctor Guy bask in the greatness of Doctor Daniel Hale Williams, the only African-American selected as a charter member to the American College of Surgeons and the man, the myth, the legend, credited with performing the first successful open heart surgery. All he needed were his bare hands, a scalpel, and a wooden stethoscope.Oh... and a pair of really big beach balls.
The honorable Doctor John and Doctor Guy discuss their 5th favorite Olympic sport... Polio, as well as the worlds last great vaccination victory. Virus eradication is sweet! (Iron Lungs... less sweet)
Doctor John and Doctor Guy roll their wagon wheel along the Oregon Trail as they describe the dangers and maladies of the 2170 mile long journey as well as the unfortunate paucity of medical interventions available to the average traveler. It was a magical place where Arrows, lightening strikes, mule kicks, and a plethora of diseases awaited the weary settlers... all of whom were probably treated with enemas. Ox wanders off. Loose 2 days. Savannah has typhoid. Tommy has dysentery. Miss Tina has exhaustion. (Personally, I never made it to Oregon)
The honorable doctor John and the less honorable doctor Guy dive into one of the classic medical history origin stories, that of the great William Stewart Halsted. One of the original Johns Hopkins "Big Four," a visionary surgeon and reformer of surgical training in the United States, and... a functional cocaine addict (aka. a rainbow sniffer, a snowblower, a real crack o'lantern). Everyone has a skeleton in their closet or a monkey on their back, but not everyone rises victoriously like a Halsted (or a phoenix...). Happy Holidays everyone!
Doctor John and Doctor Guy wade into a swampy mosquito infested marsh to discuss plasmodium falciparum and malaria in all its historical glory. Damn you mosquitos, you could have spread something good, like "the word" or even "Christmas Cheer" but all you've done is given us the gift of Malaria! With that said, any disease that led to the creation of the Gin and Tonic can't be all that bad... unless you get it. then it is all that bad.
Doctor John and Doctor Guy attempt to navigate the strange world of Mass Hysteria. The discussion of the now antiquated term, Hysteria, begins with its misogynistic past and will finish with some of the more bizarre cultural examples of how fear, stress, and the mind worked together to entrap the masses... because hysteria loves company. (And no... this podcast will not cause Koro.) Happy listening!
Doctor John and Doctor Guy discuss our favorite neighborhood deadly spore, Anthrax! The gang will attempt to pronounce the generic names of various monoclonal antibody treatments... AND will discuss the history of "Death Island!!" aka Anthrax Island, aka Gruinard Island. (...Possible site for the next Trump International Golf Course..?) A 2kilometer Scottish Isle that claimed the lives of more "sheep" then any other Island in the history of mankind/sheepkind! (Ominous tones.)
The honorable doctor John and the less honorable doctor Guy are back for a second season of perpetual digression... and of course... diseases, death, and doctors. Our dynamic duo has come out guns blazing for the season 2 premier, where they will tackle the epic history of Scurvy, aka. the sexiest vitamin deficiency of our time!
NEW Season of Disease Death and Doctors! Doctor John and Doctor Guy are back with new episodes available for your auditory digestion in mid to late October 2021. The perfect medical history podcast for fall foliage gazing, killing off unused brain cells, and pumpkin spice lattes. (For serious, ask any of our 3 listeners...)
In the final episode of Season I, Doctor John and Doctor Guy discuss the time Napoleon "dropped the Crepe" and lost nearly 50,000 French troops in the West Indies to Yellow Fever and the army of a brilliant freed slave, L'Ouverture, ultimately setting the stage for the Louisiana Purchase. (AKA The United States biggest land purchase #ever) History and science are all over this one.
Doctor John and Doctor Guy chat about the Great Plague of Marseille (the last of the 6 great European Plagues), as well as, Renaissance Fairs, Medieval Times, "plague piles," and giant Turkey Legs. Prepare to be enlightened.
Dr John and Dr Guy discuss the intriguing history of Rabies. We will discuss hydrophobia, vampires, Dr John's pet bat, and the generational Bad Ass, Louis Pasteur. (As well as the "safety first" lab environment Pasteur fostered during his vaccine research. Hey other labs... Hold my Beer.)
Doctor John and Doctor guy attempt to control their ADD as they discuss the medical contributions of Roman Antiquity. Lead catheters, bowel surgery, and beast milk help to keep things weird.
Doctors John and Guy discuss the medical contributions of Greek antiquity. A rousing conversation encompassing Hippocrates, olive oil, and rectal speculums.
Doctor John and Doctor Guy discuss the "storied" history of Johns Hopkins Hospital, its affiliated School of Medicine, and the official turning point of medical education in America. It turns out that if you don't marry your cousin, good things happen. Trust me.
Doctor John and Doctor Guy shoot from the hip as they discuss the infamous history of the one of the great imitators, Syphilis, a classic STD that left its mark on man and womankind. "I mean... I'm pretty sure I got it after using that public restroom..."
Doctors John and Guy discuss natures most badass parasite, yes... the Hookworm, and its impact on the perception of the postbellum southern states. Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Grits and "Ground Itch!" Also... a little outhouse trivia!
Doctor John and Doctor Guy take a running start before plunging headfirst into the rice water filled rabbit hole that is the discussion of Cholera, John Snow, and the great London Cholera outbreak of 1854.
Doctors John and Guy consume themselves with a rich discussion of all things Tuberculosis. A conversation that spans the great "Lunger Migration" of the 19th century, New England Vampires, and Doc Holiday. You're Welcome.
Doctor John and Doctor Guy discuss "The" Smallpox, opposite of Large Pox and friend to no one! The conversation covers the historical impact of the renowned virus (It killed 500 million people in its last 100 years of existence, so, its kind of a big deal) including its role in the American Revolution and George Washington's role as the first American Public Health official. (also covered; Chick-fil-a versus Popeye's Chicken)
Dr John and Dr Guy explore the short, terrifying, and intriguing history of the Red Market (aka. The Black Market... but for "Organ Trafficking"). Its a story of capitalism (on steroids), crime, and deceit... its been spectacularized as an urban legend... but at the end of the day, its the story of the illegal trafficking, harvesting, and theft of human organs. Oh my.
Doctor John and Doctor Guy jump down the rabbit hole that is the history of mental illness and medicine, from lobotomy to "sex boxes that cure cancer," this episode will give you something to chat about around the water cooler... or the refrigerator, or on a zoom meeting, because, well there is still a pandemic.
Doctor Jon and Doctor Guy get cozy with the history of New York City's most infamous cook, Typhoid Mary, the world's first known asymptomatic disease carrier. If you thought a few months of quarantine was rough, try 23 years on for size.
Dr John and Dr Guy delve into a pleasurable discussion about Ebola. The hype, the history, and all the rectal bleeding you can handle. Nothing says level four bio hazard safety like PPE and duck tape. Cheers!
Doctor John and Doctor guy explore Kuru or "the laughing death," a disease traced back to the cannibalistic practices of the Fore tribe of Papua New Guinea. Another reason not to hop on every new dietary or weight loss trend you read about!
Doctor Guy and Doctor John take an in depth look at the checkered history of the medical cadaver. A quick exploration of the glory/gory days of medicine, when grave robbing and murder were all committed... in the name of science and education. "Today is bring your cadaver to school day kids!"
The inaugural episode of Death. Disease. and Doctors. Board certified physicians, with newly minted aliases, Doctor John and Doctor Guy, actually get around to talking about... “the Black Death,” The most devastating pandemic in History. Cliff hanger spoiler alert... A lot of people are going to die. (But then again, it was the middle ages, and life expectancy was only 31 years of age even without a plague)
The inaugural episode of Death. Disease. and Doctors. Board certified physicians, with newly minted aliases, Doctor John and Doctor Guy, hit the ground running with a cliff notes esq. synopsis of mankind’s relationship with disease (PART 1) and will then parlay that conversation into a discussion of “the Black Death” (PART 2). If it gets weird, embrace it.