The Blue Germ

"The Blue Germ" by Maurice Nicoll is an early 20th-century novel that revolves around Dr. Richard Harden, a doctor whose world is upended by the discovery of a mysterious germ. The story follows Dr. Harden's obsession with this germ after a head injury reveals its existence, leading him on a journey to Russia where he partners with Professor Sarakoff. Together, they uncover the germ's potential to grant eternal life, but their experiments unleash unforeseen consequences when the germ contaminates Birmingham's water supply, causing the outbreak of the "Blue Disease." The narrative skillfully blends scientific discovery with compelling moral questions surrounding the desire for immortality, creating a scenario where scientific progress clashes with the unpredictable nature of life itself.