Breathing Race into the Machine: The Surprising Career of the Spirometer from Plantation to Genetics
by Lundy Braun
Lundy Braun traces the spirometer's path from its use on plantations to evaluate enslaved laborers to its integration into genetic research. This history exposes how racial concepts were incorporated into the device's development, affecting medical measurements and health disparities over time. The book reveals the surprising persistence of these influences in modern science.
About This Book
The spirometer, a device for measuring lung capacity, has a complex history intertwined with racial science. From its origins in 19th-century plantations, where it was used to assess enslaved workers' fitness, to its role in contemporary genetics, the tool has carried assumptions about race into medical practice.
Lundy Braun's examination highlights how the spirometer's design and calibration reflected societal biases, influencing standards in medicine and public health. This narrative traces the device's evolution across different eras and contexts.
By delving into archival records and scientific literature, the book illustrates the spirometer's career as a lens for understanding the intersection of technology, race, and biology. It prompts reflection on how historical tools shape current scientific paradigms.
The work emphasizes the need for awareness of embedded racial elements in diagnostic instruments, advocating for more equitable approaches in health assessments today.
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to review this book!