Science/medicine in literature, a favour

[Paul Mackin]

On Feb 10, 2006, at 7:16 AM, Gordon, Alex wrote:

>
> Hello all,
>
> A good friend of mine has a job interview coming up in a few weeks  
> and she's been told to research the history of science and medicine  
> in literature. She's a bit nervous, so I told her that I'd ask the  
> capable folk on the Pynchon list for some ideas, as many people  
> there, being Pynchon fans and all, seem to be rather well- 
> acquainted with both the science and the literature... So, if you  
> may be so kind, could you point me in the direction of some decent  
> and relevant articles/books that you know of, or maybe throw in  
> some ideas on the subject that you think might be useful to her? I  
> - and subsequently she - would be very grateful. Her research is  
> meant to be focused more on the medicine side of science, and  
> specifically the heart, so the Pynchon rocket stuff unfortunately  
> mightn't be of too much use here, but any advice or information you  
> can dispense would be very much appreciated.
>
> Best,
>
> Alex
>
>
Wow. I can see why your friend might be a bit nervous. All my  
sympathy.  What kind of job would she be applying for? Probably the  
best strategy would be to have several fairly awing examples at  her  
fingertips. (so that the interviewer will quickly change the subject)

A lot of novels contain portrayals of physician patient relationships  
and in many cases the problem would be heart disease.  Take the   
case  of  Milly Theale and Sir Luke in Henry James'  _The Wings of  
the Dove_. Milly's specific problem is never disclosed (as I recall)  
but a weak ticker seems likely in the young heiress. Sir Luke is a  
Harley Street specialist who takes more than a mere medical, yet  
still completely proper, interest in Milly.

If  one wanted something specifically portraying medical research,  
there is Sinclair Lewis'  novel _Arrowsmith_ .  The title character,   
Martin Arrowsmith,  is an idealistic doctor who--through trial and  
tribulation--devotes his life to medical research under the guidance  
of his mentor Dr Gottlieb.


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