Diarrhea as a threat to national security is nothing new, (dysentary's been part of American military history since before Valley Forge), but the approaches have certainly evolved.
Where we are now in easing the ravages of war -- be it intestinal distress, panic, exhaustion, heat, flies and/or noise --- are all covered in a new book by journalist Mary Roach.
She goes under the armor, below the belt and to a few more unmentionable places in Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans At War. Roach joins us to talk about how scientists are trying to meet the needs, and ease the pains of combat troops.
