Eleven Blue Men
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1953 |
| Founder | Berton Roueché |
| Products | Medical nonfiction short story collection |
Eleven Blue Men, and Other Narratives of Medical Detection is a compilation of twelve factual short stories authored by Berton Roueché, first released in 1953. Each narrative, including the signature Eleven Blue Men, was initially featured in the "Annals of Medicine" segment of The New Yorker between 1947 and 1953.
Eleven Blue Men
The collection's lead story, Roueché's inaugural medical case study and arguably his most renowned work, debuted in The New Yorker in 1947 before being incorporated into his anthology The Medical Detectives. It served as the inspiration for the pilot episode of the television drama Medical Investigation.
Plot summary
A man suddenly collapses on a street in Manhattan, showing symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, disorientation, and a bluish tint to his skin. Initially suspected to be carbon monoxide poisoning, the hospital soon admits ten additional men presenting identical signs—thus forming the group known as the "eleven blue men." The Department of Health launches an inquiry, identifying this as the largest recorded outbreak involving this uncommon type of poisoning.
One patient succumbs while others gradually recover. Investigators dismiss gas poisoning due to discrepancies in symptoms and incubation periods. Interviews reveal all affected individuals had consumed oatmeal at the same cafeteria shortly before their illness, pointing toward foodborne contamination—although the symptom profile and onset timing deviate from standard cases.
Focusing on potential chemical contamination, inspectors uncover numerous health violations at the cafeteria, including rodent infestations and exposed sewage. The cook explains that oatmeal preparation involves dry cereal, water, and salt—all initially cleared as contamination sources since other patrons remained unaffected.
Attention then shifts to a container labeled saltpetre (sodium nitrate), commonly used for curing meats. The cook admits to previously refilling the salt container with saltpetre by mistake before replacing it with actual salt. Laboratory analysis reveals that the container actually held sodium nitrite—a potent toxin visually indistinguishable from ordinary table salt.
Residues of sodium nitrite persisted in the salt container when it was refilled with real salt—an amount insufficient alone to cause poisoning. Investigators theorize that additional exposure occurred through a salt shaker containing sodium nitrite that the men used on their oatmeal. Given that heavy drinkers often crave salt due to low blood sodium levels, this could explain their ingestion of a toxic quantity.
By the time authorities revisit to verify this hypothesis, the patients have been discharged, leaving some uncertainty about the precise mechanism of poisoning. Nevertheless, this case underscores critical public health concerns regarding food contamination and chemical mislabeling.
Other Narratives of Medical Detection
The other eleven accounts include:
- "The Fog", which documents the 1948 Donora smog event and, alongside "A Pig From New Jersey," earned Roueché the 1950 Albert Lasker Medical Journalism Award.
- "A Man from Mexico", describing the 1947 New York City smallpox outbreak.
- "The Alerting of Mr. Pomerantz", chronicling the identification of rickettsialpox.
- "A Lonely Road", narrating the experience of a leper residing in Harlem.
- "Something Extraordinary", focusing on advances in antibiotic research.
- "A Perverse, Ungrateful, Maleficent Malady", analyzing gout.
Additional stories explore cases involving tetanus, psittacosis, typhoid fever, trichinosis, and various instances of food poisoning.
Reception
The book garnered extensive praise for its ability to simplify intricate medical subjects while maintaining rigorous scientific accuracy. Critics commended its clear and captivating prose. The Archives of Ophthalmology referred to it as both "captivating" and "excellently crafted." The Mystery Writers of America honored Eleven Blue Men, and Other Narratives of Medical Detection with the Raven Award, recognizing outstanding work beyond conventional crime literature. Additionally, author Kaye Gibbons includes it among her personal top ten favorite works.
Legacy
For an extended period, Eleven Blue Men was mandatory reading for new members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Epidemic Intelligence Service, underscoring its lasting significance in the field of public health training.