270: Kennedy's Bloodbath

In 'The Birth of the Clinic,' Michel Foucault examines the transformation of medical perception and practice during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He introduces the concept of the 'medical gaze,' a new way of observing and interpreting the body that shifted from theoretical constructs to direct observation and examination. Foucault argues that this shift was not merely an improvement in medical knowledge but a fundamental change in the structures of knowledge itself, reflecting broader societal and power changes. The book critiques traditional histories of medicine, highlighting how the clinic became a site of pedagogy and power, where the transmission of knowledge was tied to the practice of observation and the examination of the body. Foucault also explores the socio-political implications of these changes, including the objectification of the patient and the increasing authority of medical professionals.

In 'On Immunity: An Inoculation', Eula Biss delves into the complex world of vaccination, weaving together personal anecdotes, historical references, and scientific insights. The book explores the fears and myths surrounding vaccines, while emphasizing the importance of collective immunity and community health. Biss's work is both a personal reflection on motherhood and a broader cultural critique of our perceptions of immunity and disease.