Priority Review

Dr. Mike Solz, M.D. is Houston Memorial Hospital’s newest pathologist. Bodies start crossing his table with odd lung pathology that he’s unfamiliar with. All the cases differ in regards to age, race and background but the pathology is strikingly similar. The only common link in each case’s medical history is that each case lost weight in the preceding two years with the help of weight loss supplements. Mike contacts a pulmonologist friend of his to help him figure out what is going on. When his friend presents the pathology findings a a pulmonary medicine conference, it comes to their attention that whatever is going on in the Houston area is being seen in other parts of the country.

Previously, Dr. Michael "Mac" Horn, Ph.D. traveled the world looking for natural remedies used by traditional societies. One of his discoveries was a tea for weightloss. He brings it back home determined to identify the active ingredient and test it. Shortly after this he realizes his discovery has the potential to cure America of its obesity epidemic so he founds a company to market his discovery.

Mac has his eyes set on curing America's obesity epidemic the American way: with a pill. Mike is right in the middle of trying to understand this odd pathology he's seeing. Medical science and research intersect with capitalism in this fast-pasted novel.