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BOOK REVIEW
ONE MAN, ONE MEDICINE, ONE HEALTH: THE JAMES STEELE STORY
Reviewed by Katain, R., DVM, MPh reuven_b@achuzatpoleg.co.il The 471 page paperback book by Craig Nash Carter represents an exciting narrative covering a 70 year period in the evolution of a doctrine, which today is generally accepted in the public health world. The author presents the reader with an overview of eighteen years, describing the labor of love and personal appreciation to Jim Steele. The book covers countless interviews and discussions and encounters in the medical and academic professions, among government leaders (local and foreign) and members of the United States military services ,with whom Jim interacted in establishing the well recognized and important role of the veterinary profession in the field of Public health. In 31 Chapters, the book covers far flung geographic regions of the Pacific and Central and South America. Part of Jim’s story deals with the CIA, the Iron Curtain, biological warfare and zoonoses. On the world stage he interacted with the WhO/FAO and participated in historic joint expert committee meetings. All these encounters sparked exiting narratives concerning contemporary and newly evolving zoonotic diseases with emphasis on epidemiological, intelligence, prophylactic, and laboratory diagnostic and educational policies. Dr. James Steel became interested in diseases of both man and animals early during his student days. An early decision to develop the concept of public health as a veterinarian guided him throughout his career. During the 70 years of his career, Dr. Steel became known as the founder of Veterinary Public health and the founder and advocate of the concept of “One World, One health, One Medicine.” Dr. Steele established the Veterinary Public health Division for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, served as its Chief Veterinary officer, as Assistant Surgeon general of the US Public health Service, and as Professor at the University of Texas School of Public health. he served as a consultant worldwide liaising with international agencies and governments. In recognition to Dr. Steele’s contribution to the profession he received the prestigious gold headed Cane award from the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. Dr. Steele’s career has centered about veterinary public health. his wide-ranging knowledge and investigations of zoonotic, vector borne, environmental and food borne diseases have formed the basis of his professional activities. Through corporation with human health professionals he enhanced the knowledge of animal and human health epidemiology, prevention and control. In the 1970’s, Rift Valley Fever, which until then had been confined to the Nile Valley, crossed the Suez Canal into the Sinai Peninsula, with Israel, the last possible barrier to prevent further spread of the disease to the north. Dr. Steele on consultancy in Cairo, visited Israel to discuss with Dr. Shimshony, Director of Israel’s Veterinary Services, immediate preventive measures to halt the further advance of the disease before it reached the large centers of human and animal concentrations. Being aware, through many years of acquaintance with Dr. Steele and his unceasing efforts to advance Veterinary Public health, I facilitated his official invitations to consult with the Israel Ministry of health and to create the first Veterinary Public health Unit within the Ministry. I take great pride in having the opportunity to introduce this great mentor and veterinarian to the readers of the Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine. And in conclusion permit me to say a humble “Thank you, Jim”. By Craig Nash Carter with Cynthia gregg hobler, 471 Pages. Nash Carter (Publications).ISBN978-1-4392-40045.200. Price $23.99
Volume 65 (2) 2010
website: www.isrvma.org
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