Spare Parts : In Praise of Your Appendix and Other Unappreciated Organs

"A tribute to the parts we can live without ... or can we? This book sheds light on human body parts once considered extraneous but now - with modern medicine and modern medical paraphernalia - shown to play an important role in our healthful survival. With wit and research-honed wisdom, health writer Carol Ann Rinzler explains in layman's language why we need "bonus" body parts such as: The appendix, once discarded as "the worm of the intestines," but now believed to play an important role in our immune system The coccyx, a.k.a. the "tailbone," once considered the remnant of a human tail, but now considered the keystone of the boney pelvic arch when muscles meet and stabilize our seating Wisdom teeth, that "extra" set of molars for which many "evolved" human jaws lack accommodating space but still remain in place where we higher primates still follow a basic "hard"diet that require extra chew power On the other hand, having highlighted the still-important parts, Rinzler adds a chapter on dispensables: parts with which we can indeed happily dispense. Along the way, Rinzler weaves in Darwin's theories of evolution and shares insights on what the human body may be like millennia from now."--Publisher's description A physician stranded at the South Pole describes how she discovered a lump in her breast, treated herself with a biopsy and chemotherapy, and was rescued by the Air National Guard, and reflects on her experiences and her colleagues. The Antarctic winter, with temperatures 100 below zero, shuts supply lines down completely; conditions are too treacherous for planes or boats and the only connection with the rest of the world is satellite hook-up. During the long winter of 1999, Dr. Nielsen, the only physician on a staff of forty-one people, discovered a lump in her breast. Consulting via satellite e-mail with doctors in the U.S., she was forced to perform a biopsy & in June began to treat herself with chemotherapy, in order to insure that she could survive until conditions permitted her rescue in October. A daring rescue by the Air National Guard ensued, who landed, dropped off a replacement physician, & in less than five minutes took off with Dr. Nielsen. Set in one of the most remote and desolate yet strikingly beautiful landscapes on earth, Jerri Nielsen's narrative of her transforming experiences is a thrilling adventure of researchers & scientists embattled by a hostile environment, a chronicle of the marvels -- and limits -- of modern medical technology, & a penetrating exploration of the dynamics of an isolated, intensely connected community faced with adversity. But at its core this is a powerfully moving drama of one woman's voyage of self-discovery & courage & the fierce dedication of scores of colleagues -- both known & unknown to her -- whose aid proved to be her salvation. "Ice Bound" is the inspiring true story of Dr. Jerri Nielsen, the physician with breast cancer stranded at a South Pole research station, whose amazing rescue made headlines around the globe. Set in a remote and desolate yet strikingly beautiful landscape, Nielsen's narrative of her transforming experience is a thrilling adventure A tribute to the parts that aren’t so spare after all . . . “A mesmerizing perspective . . . unparalleled information, both arcane and titillating” (Manhattan Book Review). This book sheds light on human body parts once considered extraneous, but now proven to play an important role in our healthy survival. With wit and research-honed wisdom, health writer Carol Ann Rinzler explains in layman's language why we need “bonus” body parts such as: The appendix, once derided as “the worm of the intestines,” but now believed to play an important role in our immune system The coccyx, a.k.a. the “tailbone,” once considered the remnant of a human tail, but now considered the keystone of the boney pelvic arch where muscles meet and stabilize our seating Wisdom teeth, that “extra” set of molars for which many “evolved” human jaws lack space, but that are still required by higher primates for extra chew power Having highlighted the still-important parts, Rinzler adds a chapter on dispensables: parts that we can indeed happily give up. Along the way, Rinzler weaves in Darwin’s theories of evolution and shares insights on what the human body may be like millennia from now. “Carol Ann Rinzler once again informs and entertains. She helps us see that evolution is a profound and powerful force of nature that produces things that work, but also produces some quirky and not-so-intelligently designed parts as well.” —Richard N. Gottfried, New York State Assembly Heath Committee Chair “What a pleasure this book is to read! Rinzler has chosen a terrific topic, and carried it off with style and erudition.” —Sandra Opdycke, author of No One Was Turned Away Charles Darwin's book about his grandfather, The Life of Erasmus Darwin, is curiously fascinating. Before publication in 1879, it was shortened by 16%, with several of the cuts directed at its most provocative parts. The cutter, with Charles's permission, was his daughter Henrietta - an example of the strong hidden hand of meek-seeming Victorian women. Originally published in 2003, this first unabridged edition, edited by Desmond King-Hele, includes all that Charles originally intended, the cuts being restored and printed in italics. Erasmus Darwin was one of the leading intellectuals of the eighteenth century. He was a respected physician, a well-known poet, a keen mechanical inventor, and a founding member of the influential Lunar Society. He also possessed an amazing insight into the many branches of physical and biological science. Most notably, he adopted what we now call biological evolution as his theory of life, 65 years prior to Charles Darwin's Origin of Species This book sheds light on “extraneous" human body parts – parts of our bodies that can be removed with little or no consequence. Over millennia humans have evolved to the point where these parts may no longer be needed for survival, and in her wry, witty style, bestselling health writer Carol Ann Rinzler explains in lay terms their purpose. She sheds light on such “bonus" body parts as: Recent studies show the appendix plays a role in our immune system, so it behooves us to not remove it unless it's infected The Coccyx – the last remnant of a tail – is a useful part on the boney frame on which we sit and the place where pelvic and leg muscles are anchored Wisdom teeth are an extra set of molars that are little used and frankly in the way, as human diets evolved from eating hard foods such as leaves and roots Each body part essay includes an intro from a noted department chair at a major NYC hospital. There will even be a section on parts... A tribute to the parts we can live without ... or can we? This book sheds light on human body parts once considered extraneous but now #x96; with modern medicine and modern medical paraphernalia #x96; shown to play an important role in our healthful survival. With wit and research-honed wisdom, health writer Carol Ann Rinzler explains in layman's language why we need #x93;bonus" body parts such as: The appendix, once discarded as #x93;the worm of the intestines," but now believed to play an important role in our immune system The coccyx, a.k.a. the #x93;tailbone," once considered the remnant of a human tail, but n Charles Darwin considered them extraneous,but thiswitty book sheds moderns scientific light on the Darwin Six--appendix,tailbone,"third eyelid,"wisdom teeth, external ear muscles, body hair -- once considered useless, now known to be bothvaluable and interesting, plusachapter onthe true "dispensables," parts with which we can indeed dispense.Along the way,best-selling author Rinzler weaves inDarwin's brilliant and ground-breakingtheories of evolution and shares insights intowhat the human body may look like millennia from now.

"Ice Bound" is the inspiring true story of Dr. Jerri Nielsen, the physician with breast cancer stranded at a South Pole research station, whose amazing rescue made headlines around the globe. Set in a remote and desolate yet strikingly beautiful landscape, Nielsen's narrative of her transforming experience is a thrilling adventure.

Elle

A fast-paced, engaging book. Nielsen gives a gripping account of life at the South Pole.

A physician stranded at a South Pole research station describes how she discovered a lump in her breast, treated herself with a biopsy and chemotherapy, and was rescued by the Air National Guard during a daring mission to Antarctica and reflects on the meaning of her experience and the dedication and support of her colleagues. Reprint. 150,000 first printing. Originally published in 2003, this first unabridged edition of The Life of Erasmus Darwin, edited by Desmond King-Hele, includes all that Charles originally intended, the cuts being restored and printed in italics. It gives a lively portrait of Erasmus, whom many people consider to be just as distinguished as Charles. This account of his grandfather Erasmus Darwin is the last of Charles Darwin's books to be published in full. Giving a lively portrait of Erasmus, whom many people consider to be just as distinguished as Charles, this book contains a series of illuminating insights into Erasmus Darwin's life and work The dramatic and true story of Dr. Jerri Nielsen, the physician stranded at a South Pole research station who diagnosed and treated her own breast cancer, before she was rescued by the Air National Guard under perilous weather conditions Hide and seek : the appendix Feathers & fir : body hair The tail of the tailbone : the coccyx Ear rings : the auricular muscle Blink! : the third eyelid Pearly whites : wisdom teeth Dispensables Future man Postscript.