The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth by Thomas Morris Summary

The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth by Thomas Morris explores bizarre and often alarming medical practices throughout history, from explosive dental cases to archaic remedies like arsenic-laced drugs. The book compiles over 70 real historical anecdotes, blending dark humor with insights into how misguided theories shaped early healthcare.

This book is ideal for fans of medical history, macabre curiosities, or darkly entertaining nonfiction. Readers interested in odd historical anecdotes, such as a 19th-century tumor removal gone awry or a man who swallowed 27 knives, will find it particularly engaging.

Yes, all stories stem from documented medical journals and historical records. Cases like a woman’s 56-pound tumor or a fatal dental explosion in 19th-century workers are corroborated by primary sources, with Morris providing modern medical context to explain these phenomena.

Key themes include the evolution of medical ethics, the dangers of pseudoscientific practices, and humanity’s enduring quest to understand the body. Morris highlights how even well-intentioned historical treatments—like mercury-based cures—often caused harm.

Morris combines rigorous research with witty commentary, contextualizing outdated methods without dismissing historical practitioners. He emphasizes that many absurd-sounding treatments, like crow’s vomit remedies, reflected the era’s limited scientific knowledge.

One standout case involves “exploding teeth,” where 19th-century factory workers’ teeth allegedly combusted due to chemical exposure. Another describes a man who died 13 years after swallowing false teeth, which eventually punctured his lung.

While Morris underscores past medical failures, he avoids direct critique of modern practices. Instead, he illustrates how trial-and-error and evolving standards—like the shift to evidence-based medicine—have reduced such catastrophes.

Unlike dry academic texts, Morris’s storytelling prioritizes accessibility and humor. The book’s structure—short, vivid case studies—appeals to casual readers while maintaining historical rigor, similar to works like The Butchering Art but with a focus on oddities.

Yes, the book includes reproductions of historical journal headlines, medical sketches, and archival images that underscore the strangeness of its cases, adding visual depth to the narratives.

Some reviewers note that the gruesome content may deter sensitive readers. However, most praise Morris’s ability to balance ghastly details with empathy for historical patients and practitioners.

As a medical historian and former BBC producer, Morris excels at translating complex history into engaging prose. His prior work, The Matter of the Heart, similarly blends scholarly research with narrative flair.

Absolutely. By contrasting past and present practices, the book underscores milestones like anesthesia development and germ theory, illustrating how innovation has mitigated once-common horrors.