Germ Wars

Richards Lacey's autobiography describes a life of science and medicine over seventy years. Abuse at boarding school is followed by optimism as a Cambridge student marred by the realisation fifty years later of the involvement of his aunt with spy Kim Philby, whom he now believes was the character on which James Bond was based. After early clinical medicine, basic research at Bristol on antibiotics created conflict with the pharmaceutical industry. Academic malice forces a move to Kings Lynn as NHS consultant when Richard is delighted that a toxic antibiotic is virtually banned. The move to Leeds as Professor provokes disputes over the rise of food poisoning. After exposure of the BSE cover-up, readers will question whether Richard's forced early retirement was a conspiracy. Finally, a way to remove our beloved NHS from party politics is suggested.