The Hard Tube and the Weak Light

Let me start by saying that this section is a test writer's dream. Mukherjee presents the material in a way that makes it very easy to compose test questions.  For example, the anecdote about Rontgen and his wife would make a nice little essay question as would the bit about the Radium Girls.  Did you know that is a play by the way? I'm ten seconds away from ordering it as I am always curious to see how an author takes a historical event and fleshes it out making characters and a story line come to life.  I am always interested in the author's rhetorical choices which is why I always like to read or watch multiple interpretations of a work.

Another beautiful question could come from the paradox that is radiation therapy: "the promise and the peril".

And then, anytime an author takes the time to list something, that list can very easily be turned into a multiple choice question.  For example, on page 77, Mukherjee discusses the inherent limits of radiation medicine giving the reader obvious cues such as "the first of these limitations" and "the second limit."  That language makes the teacher's job very easy.  The question almost writes itself.

Then, of course, there are all the noteworthy folks in this section who would lend themselves to inclusion in a matching section: Emil Grubbe, Rontgen, the Curies.

And guess who's back: Galen.  After this explanation of surgery and radiation as forms of treatment and the limitations of both, Mukherjee has to get us back to the idea of "systemic" treatment: Chemo.  So, he includes an anecdote about Willy Meyer to transition back to the beginning.  A really nice question might be: Explain the way in which Galen's humor theory of cancer was correct.  And incorrect.  So, look at the parallel we've got going on at the end here.  The paradox of radiation therapy, the "physical penalty" and "mistaken kindness" paradox of surgery and then Galen who was right and wrong at the same time.  This will take us to the "biologic systemic" after treatment idea that Willie Meyer discusses in his letter: chemotherapy.

Best sentence of the section:  "Pierre and Marie......had met at the Sorbonne and been drawn to each other because of a common interest in magnetism" (74).  Oh, Mukherjee.

I'll end with a question:  Is it possible for one's cheeks to fall out?  Look at the top of page 75 and tell me what you think of that sentence.