DCHAS-L Discussion List Archive

You may also want to look at some works by author Robin Cook.  Two in particular:  "Fever" is the story of a doctor whose family lives near asite that a major company is dumping benzene into the local estuary and his daughter contracts leukemia.  My personal favorite is "Acceptable Risk."  In this, a researcher is studying a fungus-based alkaloid for anti-depressant properties, and learns the hard way of unintended side effects.  In a subplot, the story also examines the controversial ergot poisoning theory behind the incidents that led to the Salem Witch trials of 1692.