Upon hearing the words side effects most people think of something adverse happening with a drug or medical procedure, but it means much more. A side effect is something that occurs as a consequence to an event and does not have to be related to the field of medicine. Circumstances may make a side effect harmful, beneficial, or both. Side effects can produce many questions. What happens when the best of intentions goes terribly wrong, or when a bit of luck turns everything right? How does an old drug's bad side effect find a good use? What would your doctor do if you wanted to die and your family would not allow it? What occurs when an age-old problem finds a new treatment by serendipity? These and other true stories told by a Montana country doctor create conversations for the reader to contemplate, discuss, and enjoy.



As the second of four brothers from a poor family in Montana, Dr. Jimmie Ashcraft aspired to be a physician since his youth. He worked his way through college and graduated from the University of Oregon Medical School. After medical training he served in the National Health Service Corps in Wyoming before working as a rural family physician in Sidney, Montana, for twentyfive years. Dr. Ashcraft helped to develop and served on the faculty of the Montana Family Medicine Program. He was a member of the clinical faculty of the University of Washington School of Medicine for thirty years.

Dr. Ashcraft and his wife Kay live in Montana. They have three children and six grandchildren. They now spend their time with their family, traveling, volunteering, and with their hobbies.

His other books are Reflections of a Country Doctor and The Next Prescription.