Diphtheria Serum as a Technological Object

The book delves into the historical significance of the diphtheria serum, first introduced in 1894, examining its production and societal impact in France. Through a philosophical lens, it explores the serum as a technological object, focusing on its manufacture from horses' blood and the subsequent legal and political frameworks that shaped its use. Jonathan Simon argues that understanding the serum involves not just its technical aspects but also its social and legal dimensions, highlighting its unique role in French medical history.