The Bends

Compressed Air in the History of Science, Diving, and Engineering

By: John Phillips

Write A Review

Hardcover | 23 June 1998 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Hardcover
272 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
2.1 x 1.49 x 0.21

Hardcover

RRP $93.95

$71.75

24%OFF

or 4 interest-free payments of $17.94 with

or

Ships in 5 to 7 business days

With the invention of compressed air in the 1840s, human divers could enter previously inaccessible deep water environments and engineers could design underwater mines and monumental bridges that had never been possible before. But a painful, sometimes fatal illness -- decompression sickness, or the bends -- mysteriously afflicted many of those who used compressed air. This book is a wide-ranging history of the wonders compressed air brought about and the suffering its unknown hazards inflicted. John L. Phillips explores the intertwining roles of science, technology, engineering, medicine, and politics in the invention of compressed air, the recognition and identification of decompression sickness, and the hundred-yearlong process of learning to understand and treat the bends.

The book begins with an overview of the biology and chemistry of respiration and a discussion of the steam engine that could generate compressed air. Drawing on previously unpublished letters, diaries, and notes, Phillips tells the story of early uses of compressed air, first observations of decompression sickness, growing awareness of the bends during construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, and efforts to understand the pathophysiology of the illness. He then considers employee health and safety issues, the science of diving today, and human limits to exploring the ocean deeps. In the history of compressed air and its illnesses, Phillips finds important lessons for dealing with other diseases yet to be confronted in the modern world.

"Phillips takes an interesting socio-scientific approach in this readable book. He tells the fascinating story of decompression sickness well". -- Peter B. Bennett, Divers AlertNetwork

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $49.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.

Defective items

If there is a problem with any of the items received for your order then the Booktopia Customer Care team is ready to assist you.

For more info please visit our Help Centre.

More in History

Men in the Sun

And Other Palestinian Stories

Paperback

RRP $24.99

$21.75

13%
OFF

The Shortest History of Scotland

Paperback

RRP $27.99

$23.75

15%
OFF

Half of a Yellow Sun

Paperback

RRP $22.99

$20.75

10%
OFF

Luna Park

The extraordinary story of the showmen, shysters and schemers who built Sydney's famous fun park

Paperback

RRP $34.99

$28.75

18%
OFF

The Bends

Compressed Air in the History of Science, Diving, and Engineering

At a Glance

Hardcover

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

More in History

Nuremberg: The Translator's Tale

The Story of Howard Triest, German-Jewish Interpreter of the Nazi War Criminals

The First Inventors

How people shaped a continent

Japan

A History in Objects

Stuff the British Stole

A Kingdom and a Village

A One-Thousand-Year History of Moscow

Alexander

God, King, Man

Talking Classics

The Shock of the Old

Said the Dead

The new book from the award-winning author of A GHOST IN THE THROAT

The Dog's Gaze

A Visual History

The Light on the Hill

An Updated History of the Australian Labor Party

The Shah's Party

And the Iranian Revolution That Followed

Melbourne Coffee Roasters

A History

Retro Women

The Evolution of Women

Outside the Wire

On the front line with the SAS in Australia's war in Afghanistan

Men in the Sun

And Other Palestinian Stories

The Shortest History of Scotland

In Praise of Shadows and Other Essays

Suicidal Empathy

Dying to Be Kind

Rebirth

A Love Story From the Depths of War

Divide & Rule

Royal Women and their Battles

Babylon

The Mother of All Cities, from the critically acclaimed ancient historian and author of The Persians 'Remarkable' WILLIAM DALRYMPLE, author of THE GOLDEN ROAD

Days of Love and Rage

A Story of Revolution

Half of a Yellow Sun

Luna Park

The extraordinary story of the showmen, shysters and schemers who built Sydney's famous fun park

This product is categorised by