Acres of Skin: Human Experiments at Holmesburg Prison - Softcover

Hornblum, Allen M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415923360 ISBN 13: 9780415923361

Publisher: Routledge, 1999

Synopsis

At a time of increased interest and renewed shock over the Tuskegee syphilis experiments, Acres of Skin sheds light on yet another dark episode of American medical history. In this disturbing expose, Allen M. Hornblum tells the story of Philadelphia's Holmesburg Prison.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

In this expose, Allen M. Hornblum tells the story of Philadelphia's Holmesburg Prison. From the early 1950s through the mid-1970s, Holmesburg's inmates were used, in exchange for a few dollars, as guinea pigs in a host of medical experiments. Based on in-depth interviews with dozens of prisoners as well as the doctors and prison officials who, respectively, performed and permitted these experimental tests, Hornblum paints a disturbing portrait of abuse, moral indifference, and greed. Central to this account are the millions of dollars many of America's leading drug and consumer goods companies made available for the eager doctors seeking fame and fortune through their medical experiments. Many of these doctors established their illustrious careers on the backs of the inmates who served as the ideal test subjects - isolated, cheap, and locked behind bars.

About the Author:

Allen M. Hornblum teaches Urban Studies at Temple University. He has served on the Board of Trustees of the Philadelphia Prison System and as the Chief of Staff of Philadelphia's Sheriff's Office.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0415923360
• ISBN 13: 9780415923361
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 334