Rumbles

Starred review from September 15, 2024
When considering all the organs of the human body, the brain and heart--powerful, prestigious, and frequently romanticized anatomic structures--reside at the top of the rankings. At the bottom of the list likely sits the gut (esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines). The alimentary canal is the Rodney Dangerfield of organ systems. Not only does the gut get little respect (until it malfunctions), but it can be socially embarrassing with its unruly noises: gurgling, belching, farting, and rumbling. Richardson, a health historian, effectively explains why the gastrointestinal tract deserves its share of esteem. Her attention is directed more toward the medical history, sociology, cultural impact, and metaphors associated with the digestive system than its physiology. ""Gut"" has both an anatomic meaning and a descriptive one (belly, paunch, entrails). Think about its usage in many popular idioms, such as ""have guts"" (courage), ""intestinal fortitude"" (resolve), and ""gut feeling"" (intuition). Richardson's discussion is populated by philosophers, literary writers, suffragettes on hunger strikes, medical scientists, bodybuilders, and psychologists. She touches on toilet habits and taboos, the gut's relationship with the brain and immune system, its microbiome, diet, and folklore. An unexpectedly absorbing, sometimes slightly strange ""scoping"" of our relationship with the gastrointestinal tract.

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