On Tour 01/14/24-02/25/24 “Death To Beauty” by Eugene M. Helveston, MD

Release Date: January 30, 2024

About The Book:

In the 1970s, Dr. Alan Scott sought to selectively weaken eye muscles to treat strabismus (when one or both eyes are misaligned) without surgery. After failed attempts with other agents, Scott developed a method to stabilize the bacteria that causes botulism, culminating in a drug that eventually became known as Botox.

In Death to Beauty: The Transformative History of Botox, Eugene M. Helveston, MD, follows the unlikely story of botulism’s 1817 discovery in contaminated German sausages, to its use in military and research facilities, to Scott, an ophthalmologist who aimed to safely use the drug in humans. Scott struggled alone as an unknown in the pharmaceutical industry, searching for clinical trial financing and FDA approval, which he achieved at a fraction of the billions big pharma usually spends to bring a drug to market. Eventually, the company Allergan bought him out, capitalizing on the possibilities for cosmetic uses. Scott’s formula was renamed “Botox” and reached annual sales in the billions. After the sale, Scott received no further compensation from Botox sales and remained the same unassuming man.

In the book, Eugene M. Helveston, MD takes the reader on a fascinating walk through the intricate history of how the world’s deadliest toxin starting as a treatment for crossed eyes became a routine tool for a variety of health issues from overactive bladder to migraine and one of the most widely used products in cosmetic care.

Plus, Dr. Helveston discusses:

* The World’s Deadliest Poison: Clostridium Botulinum

* The Trail From Poison to Consumers: How Death Found Beauty

* Chemical Warfare and Botulinum

* Why Was Dr. Alan B. Scott Considered a Legend in Ophthalmology but is Virtually Unknown to the World.

* A Pharmaceutical in the Making & The First Injection in a Human

* Manufacturing, Marketing and Selling a New Drug

* Dermatology Opens the Floodgates

* Botox and Neurology

* So Much More …

Botox Facts and Myths

• Botox is real medicine,

• Botox used as directed is not harmful: It takes about 3,000 units to kill but the standard dose is 5-200 units,

• It isn’t permanently harmful – but unwanted results can be temporarily annoying,

• Botox is expensive: For long term results you are likely to be signing up for a lifetime of Botox because it only lasts a few months,

• It’s not a one and done treatment,

• Botox parties are contrary to good medicine,

• Researchers are working to develop a new type of extended use Botox that is inorganic and will last longer in your body.

About The Author:

Eugene M. Helveston, MD, is Emeritus Professor of Ophthalmology at the IU School of Medicine. Helveston’s numerous honors include the Kellogg Scholar Award from the University of Michigan, the Humanitarian of the Year and Silver Recognition Award from the Indiana Academy of Ophthalmology, and the Outstanding Humanitarian and Life Achievement Honor Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Gene volunteered with Orbis International beginning in 1983 and later served as chief ophthalmologist of the NGO which operated the world’s first flying Eye Hospital. From 2002 to 2012 Gene developed Cybersight, the award-winning Orbis telemedicine program. He has served in twenty-five overseas missions with Orbis international. Gene was honored by ORBIS as founder of Cybersight at its 20th anniversary this year. He has authored or co-authored three ophthalmology textbooks and over 300 scientific papers. Plus, he’s the author of two nonfiction books and three fiction thrillers. His latest book, Death to Beauty is the history of how one man turned the deadliest toxin into a blockbuster drug. He lives in Indianapolis.

Social Media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/iu.press

Book Blurbs:

“A riveting text that bridges biography, history, and medicine, Death to Beauty is a must-read for anyone interested in the story of how Dr. Alan Scott, working almost independently and with few resources, transformed the world’s deadliest toxin into a wonder drug that has not only become a multi-billion-dollar industry, but a medical and cultural phenomenon.”–~Dana Berkowitz, author of Botox Nation: Changing the Face of America

“Expertly written and thoroughly researched, Dr. Helveston meticulously outlines the history of Botox and the pivotal role that Dr. Alan Scott played in bringing Botox safely to millions of people across the globe.” –~Christie L. Morse, MD, Concord Eye Center

“Dr. Helveston has painstakingly researched the life and accomplishments of Alan B. Scott MD, one of the most brilliant minds in medicine and creator of botulinum toxin (Botox) for the treatment of many conditions. This book is a page burner, interesting, and still very thorough. I highly recommend it to clinicians and non-clinicians alike.”–~William Good, MD, Senior Scientist at Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute

“At the heart of this book is the curiosity and determination of one man, Alan Scott. Helveston’s compelling narrative makes botulinum toxin understandable, all the while tracing the fine line that distinguishes poison from medicine. Death to Beauty is an important addition to the history of medicine.” –~Edward O’Malley, MD, Senior Staff Physician Emeritus, Henry Ford Health

“Eugene Helveston, M.D. documents the amazing story of Botulinum toxin from a deadly problem to a very important therapeutic advance for patients with multiple types of neurological conditions, from various movement disorders’ treatment to helping alleviating the misery of migraine headaches. Botulinum toxin has been a great advance for neurologists treating many needy patients.” –~David A. Josephson, M.D., Josephson-Wallack-Munshower Neurology, P.C.

“Dr. Scott would be proud and grateful.” –~C. William Hanke, MD, MPH, Former President, American Academy of Dermatology

Bloggers On Tour:

Jan. 14th- Books Love And Understanding https://instagram.com/booksloveandunderstanding

Jan. 21st- Plains Reading https://instagram.com/plains_reading

Jan. 25th- Bookish Heidi https://instagram.com/bookish.heidi

Jan. 28th- Kelizak Reads https://instagram.com/kelizakreads

Jan. 29th- Reading Late Into The Night https://instagram.com/reading.late.into.the.night

Jan. 30th- Tiffany Vt4 https://instagram.com/tiffanyvt4

Feb. 9th- Rozier Reads and Wine https://instagram.com/rozierreadsandwine

Feb. 15th- Shooks Books https://instagram.com/shook_sbooks

Feb. 19th Nurse Bookie https://instagram.com/nurse_bookie

Feb. 19th- Marilyn Goncalves https://instagram.com/marilynjgon