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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"The Bronze Killer" by Marie Warder. 2000 Edition, November 2, 2000
By A Customer
This book is about the killer disease Hemochromatosis (HH) and should be compulsory reading, not only for medical practitioners, but also for sufferers, their immediate relatives, their carers, those interested in hereditary disorders and last but certainly not least by those relatives of sufferers who, for whatever reason, have chosen not to be tested. It is this final group who may owe most to this book - their own lives!To the reader, it becomes so clear that this hereditary disorder and the deadly diseases it can spawn thrive on a camouflage of ignorance. Reading the book set me thinking that every year millions are being spent by the Medical Authorities in the treatment of diseases. Many of these diseases are actually the end result of hemochromatosis which renders the human body incapable of ridding itself of excess iron ("The Bronze Killer") and thus leads to the onset of so many potentially fatal illnesses. It follows that investment in screening for HH should literally save the Medical Authorities substantial sums, not to mention saving the patients and their relatives from so much suffering! The preface to the book contains the following citations: "Thousands of families around the world have already found this book to be a valuable resource. More than just the personal account of a family who have suffered through the ravages of this terrible disease, it has been a source of information, encouragement and enlightenment to many." "Through Marie's research and most noted book "The Bronze Killer", she has educated doctors and the general public about the disease. As a result, hemochromatosis is now recognised as Canada's most common genetic disorder, and routine blood tests for the disease may soon become standard diagnostic procedure." Having obtained a copy of this book (difficult in the UK), I have found this the most compulsive read I have ever encountered. I could not put the book down and read it from cover to cover!. It is clear that, even today, this hereditary disorder remains shrouded in mystery, even in the so called "developed world". The new (2000) edition of this book is written in three sections; the first tells of the struggle of the author (who first coined the phrase "The Bronze Killer") and of her husband Tom who suffered the full effects of HH both before and after he was diagnosed. This part also tells of Marie's struggle for recognition of HH and the setting up of the Hemochromatosis Societies in Canada , South Africa and subsequently the International Association of Societies. In the second part the editor brings forward the developments of the fight from 1988 to October 1999 and in the third part reproduces a booklet written by Marie and entitled "IRON The other side of the story!" In my view this final document is the definitive layman's guide to "Hemochromatosis - The insidious killer". It is said that "knowledge is power", but in the case of hemochromatosis, it could be said that "knowledge is life!" If you are a medical practitioner, if you have HH, if you are related to someone who has HH or if you are interested in hereditary disorders, this book is for you. Knowledge and awareness gained from this book may literally save lives! David of Hertfordshire, UK Notes: 1. Quotes from the book are with kind permission of the author Marie Warder. 2. Hemochromatosis is spelt Haemochromatosis in the UK, Australia and South Africa and is referred to as GH not HH in the UK. The Bronze Killer - New Edition 2000 Author: Marie Warder Publisher: Imperani Publishers Box 82, Delta, British Columbia. Canada ISBN 0968735800.
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