Outbreak in the Village

the long version

Outbreak in the Village is a fascinating account of the personal and professional journey of Dr. Doug Jenkinson, physician and researcher. Over the course of four decades in practice, Jenkinson traces the reemergence of whooping cough in the developed world, using his practice in the idyllic English countryside as a clinical control group. Keeping meticulous notes and indulging an itch to investigate, he explores one of history's most enigmatic and pervasive diseases. Jenkinson relates the tale of his life's work amid winsome anecdotes, relevant history, and practical advice. Told in an amiable, engaging voice with an expert balance of levity and earnestness, this story will charm casual readers interested in medical history and memoir, as well as doctors and researchers who identify with the experiences and may benefit from the research and techniques employed. Readers will find themselves in the examination room beside Jenkinson as the investigation unfolds, learning about the nature of the illness and the sweeping detrimental effects of an anti-vaccination campaign. An intriguing memoir about a mysterious illness, a public health failure, and one doctor's quest for clarity, Outbreak in the Village is a tale of perseverance and objectivity sure to delight and inform.