Muscle, Myth and Monkey Glands
Dr Gavin Francis traces the history of our fascination with testosterone – and our quest to get more of it.
Dr Gavin Francis traces the dark history of testicular treatments on men in the quest to improve virility and strength – from one-sided vasectomies to monkey gland implants - the search for the Elixir of Life continues in the gyms of modern Britain.
Written and read by Gavin Francis.
Produced by Lu Kemp.
This is a BBC Scotland Audio production for Radio 4.
The NHS website on anabolic steroid misuse can be found at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anabolic-steroid-misuse/
Gavin Francis is a GP and the author eleven books about medicine, culture and travel, including Sunday Times bestsellers Adventures in Human Being and Recovery, the Lost Art of Convalescence. His latest book, The Unfragile Mind explores the modern landscape of psychiatry, and calls for greater humility, curiosity and kindness in the way society approaches mental illness - it has been shortlisted for the Saltire Book Award. He’s a regular contributor to the New York Review of Books and the London Review of Books, and his books have been translated into twenty languages.
On radio
Broadcasts
- Wed 18 Nov 202611:45BBC Radio 4
- Thu 19 Nov 202600:30BBC Radio 4
