Excerpts
Giardiasis: Science Writing Can Be Fun
My husband got these little critters in Russia
Ryan is going to Russia. Which made me think of Giardiasis. Some Dutch dude wrote this about the parasite now known as Giardiasis (thanks Wikipedia). I think it is a beautiful description of the inside of certain kinds of shit and a wonderful example of how science writing, as Nabakov, Adrian (not to mention science fiction writers) and many others knew and know, can be great:
Antony van Leeuwenhoek of Delft, Netherlands, described such microorganisms he observed in the stool: “I have sometimes also seen tiny creatures moving very prettily; some of them a bit bigger, others a bit less, than a blood-globule but all of one and the same make. Their bodies were somewhat longer than broad, and their belly, which was flattish, furnished with sundry little paws, wherewith they made such a stir in the clear medium and among the globules, that you might even fancy you saw a woodlouse running up against a wall; and albeit they made a quick motion with their paws, yet for all that they made but slow progress.”
Tags: antony van leeuwenhoek
that’s fucking awesome.
“furnished with sundry little paws”
where’d you find that excerpt, pr?
yeah those science crackwhores can be wicked poetic sometimes. especially back in the old days. i wish i had another example to add. it reminds me that science isn’t science, but life.
that’s fucking awesome.
“furnished with sundry little paws”
where’d you find that excerpt, pr?
yeah those science crackwhores can be wicked poetic sometimes. especially back in the old days. i wish i had another example to add. it reminds me that science isn’t science, but life.
I love this kind of shit.
I love this kind of shit.
I found it in wikipedia!
I love how crazy in love this man is with looking at poo under a microscope. I think he uses the adverb “prettiliy” really well. I also feel like he feels sorry for the little critters because they don’t get very far with all thier swimming motions.He has COMPASSION for Giardiasis!!!!
In reality, I will say, my husband was sick as a DOG when he got it. Nasty stuff.