A pound of prevention by G. C. Edmondson
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"A Pound of Prevention" by G. C. Edmondson is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century, specifically around the 1950s. The story delves into themes of space travel, human adaptability, and the unforeseen consequences of sterilization practices in a zero-gravity environment. It centers on a group of astronauts preparing for a mission to Mars while grappling with the challenges of their situation. The narrative follows General Carnhouser and three young
astronauts—Hagstrom, van den Burg, and Aréchaga—as they embark on their journey to Mars. As the mission progresses, the crew finds themselves struggling not only with the physical demands of space but also with unexpected health issues stemming from their food. The rations selected for the mission are irradiated and devoid of living bacteria, leading to severe digestive problems, particularly for two of the crew members. Aréchaga, who remains unaffected, realizes that the lack of beneficial bacteria has left his comrades unable to digest even the most nutrient-rich foods. Taking matters into his own hands, he reinfects himself with a traditional chili sauce, ultimately saving his crewmates by restoring their gut flora. The story highlights both the importance of preventive measures and the absurdities that can arise in the pursuit of cleanliness in an environment as harsh as space. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Edmondson, G. C., 1922-1995 |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Kluga, Richard |
| Title | A pound of prevention |
| Original Publication | New York, NY: Royal Publications, Inc., 1958. |
| Series Title | Produced from Infinity April 1958 |
| Credits | Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 86.8 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Science fiction |
| Subject | Short stories |
| Subject | Space ships -- Fiction |
| Subject | Sick -- Fiction |
| Subject | Space flight to Mars -- Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 71870 |
| Release Date | Oct 13, 2023 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 286 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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