"Captain of all these men of death" : the history of tuberculosis in nineteenth and twentieth century Ireland /

Jones (Univ. of Ulster) has prepared a specialist's book. Magnificently researched and documented, it is clearly written, and in all other ways it is consistent with the standards of the best journals in history and the social sciences. In recent years there has been a spate of books about tuberculosis--some international in scope, others very personal, but none as detailed in discussing so small a geographic area. Perhaps the unique aspect of this study is the information it presents about how a divided Irish society, Catholic and Protestant, faced especially formidable obstacles in fighting the disease. This is one of several factors explaining why Irish mortality from tuberculosis was increasing during the 19th century at the same time that it was declining in the British Isles and the US. This amazingly costly work should be in the collection of medical history libraries and in those of individuals who are especially interested in the history of tuberculosis. Graduate students through professionals. I. Richman Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg