MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'homeopathy'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:52:07 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140048&cid=t_102829_129_f&fid=27216&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifewithadhd.com%2Fadhd-drugs%2F5-facts-about-adhd-and-homeopathy.php It is alarming to learn that ADHD drugs like Ritalin (methylphenidate) are not fully understood as regards how they actually work on the brain and neither are their side effects fully documented. Any drug will have side effects and very often the full extent of these are not known when clinical trials are done. They are only discovered after masses of patients take them. That is the case with the ADHD drugs because now there are serious doubts about their actual effectiveness and their risks. This is why ADHD and homeopathy are deservedly becoming more popular. ADHD and homeopathy are a safer option The first fact is that homeopathy and ADHD are a totally safe and effective combination. Compare that to Ritalin and Adderall which are now being used by students to enhance their academic p... Life With ADHD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140048 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5140048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125800&cid=t_102829_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fdiluting-homeopathic-advertising-ht-silvianaj.html HT @SilvianaJ – The Advertising Standards Authority has ordered online homeopathy advertisers to stop making claims that their treatments work. [Because they don't!] The ASA’s remit was extended to regulating websites in March 2011, since when it says it has received more than 150 complaints about claims for the efficacy of homeopathy. While it carries out a “wider investigation” the ASA has told advertisers to delete content that “claims directly or indirectly that homeopathy and homeopathic products can diagnose/treat/help health conditions”. Related Posts:Listening to digitized vinylHomeopathic Flu RemedyHomeopathy really doesn’t workYou are not full of *%$!Homeopathy – Cure or NotDiluting homeopathic advertising is a post from: Scie... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125800 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:15:19 +0100 5125800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159030&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D4615%26utm_source%3Drss%26utm_medium%3Drss%26utm_campaign%3Ddr-elizabeth-thompson-of-bristol-homeopathic-hospital-finds-that-pills-that-contain-nothing-have-no-effect-not-even-placebo-effect Conclusions: A future study using this design is not feasible, That’s pretty feeble. They don’t state the conclusion as "homeopathy doesn’t work", far less that "homeopathy doesn’t even have a placebo effect". Just the eternal cry after every failed trial of magic medicine: the trial design was wrong and more research is needed. An excuse was offered in the form "A further limitation was the length of the study period which may have needed to be longer in order for homeopathic treatment to make an impact in a complex disease with high variabilitythrough the year." This is a paraphrase of the typical homeopathic modus operandi. Keep trying a different pill until the patient gets better anyway, then claim the credit. Some details of th... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159030 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 22:46:35 +0100 5159030 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159031&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D4582%26utm_source%3Drss%26utm_medium%3Drss%26utm_campaign%3Dapologists-for-andrew-wakefield-at-southampton-university-a-russell-group-university-teaching-some-dangerous-nonsense Conclusion Electrodermal testing cannot be used to diagnose environmental allergies", published in the BMJ .[download reprint]. In 2003 he published "A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proving trial of Belladonna 30C” [download reprint] that showed homeopathic pills with no active ingredients had no effects: The conclusion was "”Ultramolecular homeopathy has no observable clinical effects" (the word ultramolecular, in this context, means that the belladonna pills contained no belladonna). In 2010 he again concluded that homeopathic pills were no more than placebos, as described in Despite the spin, Lewith’s paper surely signals the end of homeopathy (again). [download reprint] What i cannot understand is that, despite his own findings, his pri... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159031 Sun, 03 Jul 2011 17:10:30 +0100 5159031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953155&cid=t_102829_129_f&fid=27216&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifewithadhd.com%2Fadhd-research%2Fadhd-alternative-therapy-why-not-consider-homeopathy-and-see-how-safe-and-effective-it-is.php At a recent meeting of The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, a report on the safety of Ritalin was presented. The report outlines the Swedish research on what effect the drug, which uses methylphenidate, has on children’s cardiovascular health. While the report is quite positive, it is hedged with caution in that the study only researched those children in Sweden where they are on much lower doses. While it may appear to be a fairly safe drug, the researchers found that weight and height were negatively affected. That is the main reason why parents seek ADHD alternative therapy and we can see why. As well as the negative effects of stunted growth, there are a whole range of side effects which can range from sleep loss, drowsiness, headaches, and also loss of appeti... Life With ADHD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953155 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4953155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902419&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-brief-history-of-vaccines-the-anti-vaccination-movement-and-modern-quackery%2F2011.06.06 A good case of smallpox may rid the system of more scrofulous, tubercular, syphilitic and other poisons than could otherwise be eliminated in a lifetime. Therefore, smallpox is certainly to be preferred to vaccination. The one means elimination of chronic disease, the other the making of it. Naturopaths do not believe in artificial immunization . . . —Harry Riley Spitler, Basic Naturopathy: a textbook (American Naturopathic Association, Inc., 1948). Quoted here. Here’s what a good case of smallpox will do for you: If you’re lucky enough to beat the reaper (20-60%; 80% or higher in infants) or blindness (up to 30%), those blisters will leave you scarred for life. Oh, and the next time a good smallpox epidemic comes around, your children born since the last one will catch it and cont... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902419 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 13:00:16 +0100 4902419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753689&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdr-steve-novella-defends-science-and-reason-on-the-dr-oz-show%2F2011.04.26 I must say I was a bit shocked two weeks ago when I was contacted by a producer for The Dr. Oz Show inviting me on to discuss alternative medicine. We have been quite critical of Dr. Mehmet Oz over his promotion of dubious medical treatments and practitioners, and I wondered if they were aware of the extent of our criticism (they were, it turns out). Despite the many cautions I received from friends and colleagues (along with support as well) – I am always willing to engage those with whom I disagree. I knew it was a risk going into a forum completely controlled by someone who does not appear to look kindly upon my point of view, but a risk worth taking. I could only hope I was given the opportunity to make my case (and that it would survive the editing process). The Process Of course, e... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753689 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 22:36:35 +0100 4753689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734096&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhomeopathy-why-is-fraud-legal%2F2011.04.21 Imagine hearing a commercial on the radio: Send us money, and we won’t send you anything in return. No one would do that, right? How about this: Send us your money and we’ll send you an empty box. Better? Not much. Now how is that different from: Send us money and we’ll send you stuff we’ll call medicine that we claim will help you, but there’s no actual active ingredients in it at all. I don’t think there’s one bit of difference. Wouldn’t you agree that that commercial is fraud, pure and simple? The problem is that the general public doesn’t understand that the word “homeopathic” means “diluted beyond the point where it contains any active ingredients.” I’ve recently heard commercials for homeopathic vertigo treatments, eye drops for allergies, irritable bowel,... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734096 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:00:16 +0100 4734096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4714743&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcomplementary-and-alternative-medicine-can-be-a-regressive-force-against-true-science%2F2011.04.14 Science is a philosophy, a technology, and an institution. It is a human endeavor- our collective attempt to understand the world around us,  not something that exists solely in the abstract. All of these aspects of science have been progressing over the past decades and centuries, as we refine our concepts of what science is and how it works, as we develop better techniques, and organize and police scientific activities more effectively. The practice of science is not relentlessly progressive, however, and there are many regressive forces causing pockets of backsliding, and even aggressive campaigns against scientific progress. So-called complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is one such regressive force. It seeks to undermine the concepts, execution, and institutions of medical sc... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4714743 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:00:08 +0100 4714743 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159041&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3956%26utm_source%3Drss%26utm_medium%3Drss%26utm_campaign%3Dgeorge-lewiths-private-practice-another-case-study Jump to follow-up Professor George Lewith is perhaps the most prominent advocate of alternative medicine within quackademia, at least in Russell Group University. He claims to be a member of “The Complementary and Integrated Medicine Research Unit is within the School of Medicine at the University of Southampton.”. From CCIM The URL for this unit is actually http://www.cam-research-group.co.uk/. Strangely, though, a search of Southampton University’s own web site for “Complementary and Integrated Medicine Research Unit” yields very little information about this unit. But Lewith does not spend all of his time on his academic duties. He also spends time in London at his private practice, at the Centre for Complementary and Integrated Medi... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159041 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:05:52 +0100 5159041 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4411524&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fteleporting-the-dna-of-hiv%2F2011.01.28 Luc Montagnier received the 2008 Nobel Prize for his discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but now he’s come up with a more-than-strange theory. He thinks DNA can teleport from one tube to another via electromagnetic signals. Is this the so-called “Nobel disease?” French virologist Luc Montagnier stunned his colleagues at a prestigious international conference when he presented a new method for detecting viral infections that bore close parallels to the basic tenets of homeopathy. Although fellow Nobel prize winners — who view homeopathy as quackery — were left openly shaking their heads, Montagnier’s comments were rapidly embraced by homeopaths eager for greater credibility. Montagnier told the conference last week that solutions containing the DNA o... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4411524 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:00:35 +0100 4411524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399533&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D4011 Jump to follow-up I hate to be forced to return to the world’s most boring delusion, homeopathy. It is boring because the battle to inform people how daft it is has been almost won. Now not a single Bachelors degree in homeopathy appears in UCAS, compared with at least five in 2007. But the battle is not quite won with the UK Government. This post is not so much about homeopathy as about the failures of the Government and the MHRA. The Medicines and Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA), has just launched yet another consultation and I have felt obliged to waste an entire Sunday writing a response to it, I can’t imagine that any scientist would disagree much with what I have written, but most of them have far better ways to spend their time than bothering about the lunatic fringes... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399533 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:56:52 +0100 4399533 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4386470&cid=t_102829_150_f&fid=34768&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmagossip.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fif-pharmacists-claim-to-be-experts-on.html Let's end homeopathic "medicines" - write to the MHRA before Feb 18. Here (Source: PharmaGossip) PharmaGossip blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4386470 Sat, 22 Jan 2011 13:56:00 +0100 4386470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4360985&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhomeopathy-why-is-the-canadian-government-regulating-a-scam%2F2011.01.17 Regular readers of the Better Health blog are familiar with the shoddy science behind homeopathy (an outdated system of “medical” treatment that relies on water dilution and shaking to ‘”strengthen” the effects of drugs). But because homeopathic placebos have been marketed so successfully (even receiving paid endorsements from hockey teams), the Ontario government has decided to regulate homeopathic practices. In this terrific news exposé, reporters ask if it’s appropriate for the government to regulate health scams. In doing so, are they not lending credibility to modern-day snake oil? Check out these videos and let me know what you think. Is there a roll for government in regulating homeopathy? Part 1:   (more…) (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4360985 Mon, 17 Jan 2011 13:00:14 +0100 4360985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343127&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Finfluenza-its-not-just-the-flu%2F2011.01.13 One of our readers suggested that I review the book The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History, by John M. Barry. It’s not a new book (it was published in 2004) but it is very pertinent to several of the issues that we have been discussing on this blog, especially in regards to the current anti-vaccine movement. It’s well worth reading for its historical insights, for its illumination of the scientific method, and for its accurate reporting of what science has learned about influenza. In the great flu epidemic of 1918, influenza killed as many people in 24 weeks as AIDS has killed in 24 years. It’s hard to even imagine what that must have been like, but this book helps us imagine it. It tells horror stories: Children found alone and starving beside the cor... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343127 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 20:00:51 +0100 4343127 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394521&cid=t_102829_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fscience-news-3.html International Year of Chemistry, "Naturally" – Nature's take on the launch of the International Year of Chemistry 2011 (IYC11) Stinging vision – A group of school children aged between 8 and 10 years old have had their school science project accepted for publication in an internationally recognised peer-reviewed journal. The paper, which reports novel findings in how bumblebees perceive colour, is published in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters. Physical Methods – Organophoshorus Chemistry provides a comprehensive and critical review of the recent literature. Coverage includes phosphines and their chalcogenides, phosphonium salts, low coordination number phosphorus compounds, penta- and hexa- coordinated compounds, tervalent phosphorus acid derivativ... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394521 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:26:04 +0100 4394521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4237963&cid=t_102829_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fwhat-managers-can-learn-from-gentle-art.html At the Dr Batra Positive Health Awards held recently in Mumbai, Mr Rajv Bajaj, CEO of Bajaj Auto commented that he had learnt a lot about managing his very successful company by studying homeopathy. I was very intrigued and requested him to elaborate. This is the email he sent me, which I’d like to share. These are very original ideas which can provide a lot of food for thought ! “ 1. Ideation: Individualisation & brands. One of the fundamental principles of homoeopathy is individualisation. We are not what we have in common, but what we have in uncommon with others. In disease terms, it’s our strange, rare, & peculiar symptoms that make us the unique individuals that we are. The good homoeopath seeks to glean that & then choose the one remedy that's that individual's ... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4237963 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 02:13:00 +0100 4237963 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179330&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3710 As I walked back from lunch today, I passed an exhibit that advertised the UCL Haiti Development Project. It was good to see that somebody still cares. Now the dire problems of Haitians have got worse, At least 500 people have been killed by cholera. In stark contrast, I also had today another email form Kate Birch. She used to be vice-president of the North American Society of Homeopaths (NASH), though she now appears to be only a “registered teacher”. I wrote twice about Kate Birch in 2007 In August, Homeopathic “cures” for malaria: a wicked scam  and in October, A visit from Kate Birch. When I googled "Kate Birch" homeopathy I was surprised to see that these two posts came in 2nd and 1st position respectively. Since then, she has emailed me from time to t... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179330 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 21:27:25 +0100 4179330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179322&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhomeopathy-fibromyalgia-a-woo-magnet%2F2010.11.18 Over the weekend, my wife and I happened to be in the pharmacy section of our local Target store. We happened to be looking for one of our favorite cold remedies, because both of us have been suffering from rather annoying colds, which have plagued both of us for the last week or two. As we perused the Cold and Flu section of the pharmacy, we were struck at how much shelf space was taken up by Airborne (which was “invented by a schoolteacher.“) Nearly three years ago Airborne had to settle a case brought against it alleging false advertising to the tune of $23 million. Despite that, Airborne is still being sold, and there are even a whole bunch of knock-off products copying it. Then, as we continued to look for our favored cold remedy, we noted that, sitting right next to the extensive... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179322 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:00:11 +0100 4179322 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175702&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3695 Conclusion. Homeopathic consultations but not homeopathic remedies are associated with clinically relevant benefits for patients with active but relatively stable RA. So yet another case where the homeopathic pills turn out the same as placebos, Hardly surprising since the pills are the same as the placebos, but it’s always good to hear it from someone whose private practice sells homeopathy for money. The conclusion isn’t actually very novel, because Fisher & Scott (2001) had already found nine years ago that homeopathy was ineffective in reducing the symptoms if joint inflammation in RA. That is Peter Fisher, the Queens’ homeopathic physician, and Clinical Director of the Royal Hospital for Integrated Medicine (recently renamed to remove ‘homeopathy’ fr... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175702 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 10:58:30 +0100 4175702 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4060596&cid=t_102829_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F3HnRT2dRJig%2F Yes, that's right, a Life in the Fast Lane doctor seems to suggest that homeopathy might help a patient... Can it be true? (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4060596 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:36 +0100 4060596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4018186&cid=t_102829_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FdXCXI378uMY%2F Known as unscientific, dangerous, potentially deadly, quackery, and other less than flattering but accurate terms, but it seems that science's attempts to dilute the false positive claims homeopathy makes only seems to make it stronger. Attempting to definitively demonstrate the functionality of the homeopathic principles, a new sustainability initiative has been launched by the Total Strategic Homeopathic Institute for Technology (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4018186 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 08:00:12 +0100 4018186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3942797&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3423 Conclusion At the moment, it appears that the renaming of the RLHH is empty re-branding. No doubt UCLH Trust see homeopathy as something that brings shame on a modern medical service. But to remove the name while retaining the nonsense is simply dishonest. Let’s hope that the name change will be followed by real changes in the sort of medicine practised, Changes to real medicine, one hopes. Other blogs on this topic Gimpyblog was first, with Farewell to the RLHH, hello to the RLHIM Quackometer posted An Obituary: Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, 1849-2010 Follow-up (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3942797 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:01:34 +0100 3942797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3868743&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3339 Jump to follow-up Having recently been fired from Ofquack, the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). I found I was missing the constant dribble of double-speak, Then, as luck would have it, a friend emailed me to draw my attention to a lucrative job at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee.  On August 11th I put out a tweet, just in case any of my friends were interested. How to save money. NHS Scorland (Tayside) advertises for homeopathic doctor http://bit.ly/9Ou9Yo Pathetic #fail After the story appeared in the Daily Express it occurred to me that I should apply. It seems that NHS Scotland Tayside) is determined to look idiotic in the eyes of the world.  They advertised for a homeopathic doctor,  The upper level of salary, £68,000 for two sessions a week, is a... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3868743 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 16:12:59 +0100 3868743 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3862013&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fquackademic-medicine-infiltrates-the-new-england-journal-of-medicine%2F2010.08.12 One of the things that disturbs me the most about where medicine is going is the infiltration of quackery into academic medicine. So prevalent is this unfortunate phenomenon that Doctor RW even coined a truly apt term for it: Quackademic medicine. In essence, pseudoscientific and even prescientific ideas are rapidly being “integrated” with science-based medicine, or, as I tend to view it, quackery is being “integrated” with scientific medicine, to the gradual erosion of scientific standards in medicine. No quackery is too quacky, it seems. Even homeopathy and naturopathy can seemingly find their way into academic medical centers. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Science-Based Medicine* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3862013 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:00:31 +0100 3862013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3802386&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-letter-to-dr-josephine-briggs-about-her-support-of-naturopathy%2F2010.07.29 Josephine P. Briggs, M.D. Director, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Dear Dr. Briggs, As you know, we’ve met twice. The first time was at the Yale “Integrative Medicine” Symposium in March. The second was in April, when Drs. Novella, Gorski and I met with you for an hour at the NCCAM in Bethesda. At the time I concluded that you favor science-based medicine, although you are in the awkward position of having to appear ‘open-minded’ about nonsense. More about that below, but first let me address the principal reason for this letter: it is disturbing that you will shortly appear at the 25th Anniversary Convention of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP). It is disturbing for two reasons. First, it suggests that you know little about th... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3802386 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:00:04 +0100 3802386 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3798514&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2Ffiles%2Fhomeop.mp3 I zipped off this quick podcast from my phone on Monday and put it on my secondary blog, which I run for scrappy stuff. People seemed to like it a bit so I’m reposting here. There’s more audio stuff coming, a bit of video too, and I’ll work out good feeds and iTunes stuff over [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3798514 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:06:15 +0100 3798514 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3808672&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3263 Jump to follow-up Suggested twitter tag: #buckgate Number 19 Buckingham Street, London WC2N 6EF.is to be the home of the proposed "College of Medicine" that has arisen from the ashes of the late unlamented Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health (their last accounts can be seen at Quackometer). Naturally one must ask if the "College of Medicine" will propagate the same sort of barmy ideas as the Prince’s Foundation used to do,  A visit to Companies House shows the auguries are not good 19 Buckingham Street For one thing, the name College of Medicine has existed only since May 2010.  The company was registered originally 19th November 2009 as The College of Integrated Health, but after a teleconference on 5th May 2010 it changed... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3808672 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:09:09 +0100 3808672 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3746783&cid=t_102829_105_f&fid=35048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicineAndMan%2F%7E3%2FTWZCRk-KER8%2F (http://xkcd.com/765/) addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fmedicineandman.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F07%2F12%2Fdilution%2F'; addthis_title = 'Dilution'; addthis_pub = ''; (Source: Medicine and Man) Medicine and Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3746783 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:43:28 +0100 3746783 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3742318&cid=t_102829_117_f&fid=34808&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthebeautybrains.com%2F2010%2F07%2F10%2Fare-homeopathic-acne-remedies-like-natures-cure-safe-2%2F Traci’s naturally curious…I’ve been reading up on this “nature” acne fighting product called Nature’s Cure. They have two versions: one for females and one for males. While I can see how the ingredients in the topical treatment works, they also include non-Rx pills which have homeopathic ingredients. What’s your opinion of this product? Do you think that this would be safe to use? The Left Brain’s left unimpressed: Traci, you’ve raised a very controversial issue with your question. Homeopathy is a method of treating disease using low levels of the very ingredient that makes you sick. The basic idea is that as you dilute these chemicals, they become more effective at helping the body fight off the condition they cause. (Sort of like a ... thebeautybrains.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3742318 Sat, 10 Jul 2010 12:14:34 +0100 3742318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3721765&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdebunking-homeopathy-cartoon-style%2F2010.07.02 Here’s a wonderful cartoon primer by Darryl Cunningham on the fundamentals of homeopathic “medicine”: To see the entire 19-page cartoon strip, click here. Well worth the read, especially for anyone who might be considering homeopathic treatment. This author also put together a nice explication of the Wakefield Autism Vaccine Fraud. *This blog post was originally published at Movin' Meat* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3721765 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 3721765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3599434&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3095 Conclusion Holism in medicine is an open ended and exquisitely complex understanding of human biology that over time has lead to spectacular improvements in the length and quality of life of patients with cancer. This approach encourages us to consider the transcendental as much as the cell and molecular biology of the human organism. Alternative versions of “holistic medicine” that offer claims of miracle cures for cancer by impossible dietary regimens, homeopathy or metaphysical manipulation of non-existent energy fields, are cruel and fraudulent acts that deserve to be criminalized. Such “alternative” versions of holism are arid and closed belief systems, locked in a time warp, incapable of making progress yet quick to deny progress in the field of scientific medicine. Fo... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3599434 Tue, 25 May 2010 21:16:07 +0100 3599434 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3499194&cid=t_102829_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fpets-with-chronic-pain%2F I don’t know why but I feel a “ruff, ruff” coming on or should I say “Speak!” Okay, I think I will. I hate it when my pets are ill. It’s really hard to take. Most of us love our dogs and cats like we love our children and find they often behave better. They rarely talk back. They seldom stay out too late. They almost never get involved in drugs, wild parties, and rarely fall into bad company unless you’re counting that female in heat that lives up the block. I do have to officially state, however with full disclosure, that every small dog we’ve had, compared to our large dogs, has peed on the floor far more than the kids ever did; but I digress. If you don’t love your pets this much, well, you can stop reading right now. The current issue of Arthritis Today, for May/June ... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3499194 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:18:28 +0100 3499194 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3490670&cid=t_102829_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Falchemist-catching-electrons-homeopathic-fantasies.html This week’s Alchemist chemistry news and more… Catching electrons in the act – Scientists are getting close to being able to study chemical reactions and complex materials with individual attosecond pulses of laser light (that's a quintillionth of a second). Here's how Berkeley scientists are doing it… Alchemical happenings from around the web – The Alchemist could not fail to mention the nuclear highlight of the year as an international team fills the gap between elements 116 and 118 in the periodic table with a stupendous "transmutation" of berkelium bombarded with calcium ions into just six atoms of ununseptium. In biochemistry, we learn how flies can taste water and muse on the possibility of other animals, including ourselves, having a ... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3490670 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:39:37 +0100 3490670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3487113&cid=t_102829_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Falchemist-catching-electrons-homeopathic-fantasies.html This week’s Alchemist chemistry news and more… Catching electrons in the act – Scientists are getting close to being able to study chemical reactions and complex materials with individual attosecond pulses of laser light (that's a quintillionth of a second). Here's how Berkeley scientists are doing it… Alchemical happenings from around the web – The Alchemist could not fail to mention the nuclear highlight of the year as an international team fills the gap between elements 116 and 118 in the periodic table with a stupendous "transmutation" of berkelium bombarded with calcium ions into just six atoms of ununseptium. In biochemistry, we learn how flies can taste water and muse on the possibility of other animals, including ourselves, having a ... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3487113 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:39:37 +0100 3487113 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3453909&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2914 Yet another university has stopped its homeopathy course. The particular interest of this course was that it was being run at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, the vice-chancellor which was Michael Pittilo, until his recent premature death. Pittilo is the person who recommended to the government that herbalists and Chinese medicine practitioners should get honours degrees and be regulated like doctors. His report, was, in my opinions, disastrously bad.  It recently emerged that this, very bad, advice would not be accepted by the Department of Health (DH), so the campaign against the Pittilo proposals, on this blog and elsewhere was successful. The alternative DH proposals look pretty silly, but we won’t really know until after the election exactly what will happen. ... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3453909 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 06:04:10 +0100 3453909 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370417&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2855 Malaria in the news, yet again. Today I had a not-very-friendly letter from Kate Birch From: kate birch <katebhom@hotmail.com> To: david colquhoun <d.colquhoun@ucl.ac.uk> Subject: FW: Abha Light Products: Announcing NEW MalariX InfoSheet As I said we keep on working. while you and your kangaroo committee put on a good show. Try to take this one to the cleaners and more and more people will begin to see the fools that you really are. I hope western medicine saved you for your health crisis but that maybe when you depart you will see the how your bitterness twisted things and made you suffer so. You may recall the expose in which homeopaths in the UK were caught, in 2006, recommending their sugar pills for prevention of malaria, Lethal advice from homeopaths about... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370417 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:31:33 +0100 3370417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358979&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2829 JJump to follow-up Update 12 March. Nine more dimwits signed. An‘early day motion1 (EDM 908) has been tabled in parliament which opposes the conclusions of the science and technology committee report on the evidence for homeopathy. After two weeks it has been signed by an amazing 49 MPs. That is 7.6% of all 646 MPs.  Nothing shows more clearly the scientific illiteracy that prevails in the House of Commons (and, perhaps, the results of the mass mailing of MPs by homeopaths, who are clutching at straws).. These MPs are all people who have difficulty with the idea that pills which contain nothing can have no effect above placebo.  It isn’t rocket science. Those of us who spend quite a lot of unpaid time trying to communicate the joy of science to the public, rather res... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358979 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:55:56 +0100 3358979 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3350239&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fquacktitioner-royals-quack.html Dr Michael Dixon OBE is a GP in Devon, a devotee of homeopathy, and medical director of the Prince's Foundation for Integrated Health. He has just launched a vicious attack on the much respected Professor Edzard Ernst. Ernst is the Professor of Complementary Medicine at the Peninsula Medical School. The champagne corks were popping in quackland when it was announced that a chair in complementary medicine had been funded. The celebration soon stopped when, rather then setting up a shop to flog patent medicines,  Ernst began to use rigorous scientific techniques to analyse numerous alternative "therapies". Much of this was described in the book Ernst co-authored with Simon Singh, "Trick or Treatment - Alternative Medicine on Trial". They looked at homeopathy, acupuncture and many other ... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3350239 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:45:00 +0100 3350239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335271&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fnhs-priorities-homeopathy.html Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a rare condition of the bone marrow. The bone marrow is, if you like, the factory that makes your blood. In MDS, the production goes haywire. The condition often develops into a full blown leukaemia but even before that the patient may die due to a lack of certain blood cells. The condition can be contained for a while by giving frequent blood transfusions but these still leave the patient feeling weak and debilitated. There is a fairly new treatment available with a drug called axacitidine (Vidaza). The cost of treatment is around £45,000 a year. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence has decided not to make the drug available to NHS patients. Decisions have to be made, lines have to be drawn, and the economy is weak. It is galling, though, to MDS... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335271 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:15:00 +0100 3335271 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3246886&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2Fnewsjack-bbc7-040210.mp3 Jump to follow-up I don’t know about you, but I’m bored stiff with homeopathy. There are a lot more important things. Nevertheless, it remains a gross insult to reason, and there has been such enormous success in combating it over the last five years so, this is not the moment to stop. Hats off to the Merseyside Skeptics Society. I admit that when I first heard about the 10:23 campaign, it seemed to be a bit of a gimmick, but in fact it turned out to be an enormous success., not just in the UK but also in Canada, Australia and New Zealand The campaign was focussed on Boots, the UK’s biggest pharmacy chain, In particular the fact that Boots sell homeopathic pills. and regularly gives appallingly bad advice about all forms of quackery that they stock. I&#82... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3246886 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:31:28 +0100 3246886 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3194008&cid=t_102829_150_f&fid=34768&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmagossip.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fmemory-of-water.html Story (Source: PharmaGossip) PharmaGossip blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3194008 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:28:00 +0100 3194008 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149064&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2628 The purpose of this post is to reveal a few samples of things that are taught on a homeopathy ‘degree’ course. The course in question was the "BSc Hons homeopathy course at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN). Entry to this course was closed in 2008 and, after an internal review, UCLAN closed almost all of the rest of its courses in alternative medicine too. The university is to be commended for this . The purpose of making public some of what used to be taught is not to embarrass UCLAN, which has already done the sensible thing, but to make it clear that the sort of thing taught on such courses is both absurd and dangerous, in the hope of discouraging other courses .Three years after I first asked for teaching materials, the Information Commisioner ruled th... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149064 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:56:33 +0100 3149064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3118877&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2544   Snow on December 18th                             Roaring fire Lindy contributes acute comments regularly here.  She is also an accomplished musician.  She has kindly allowed me to post here four of her re-written carols. Adam lay ybounden  |  Hark the Herald  |  Holly and the Ivy  |  Merry Gentlemen Adam lay ybounden The Middle English dialect is not easy to follow, so the original is reproduced in the right hand column.  The original, sung by choir of King’s College Chapel, is on YouTube. Atoms lay y’bounden In primordial soup; Six billion years did pass A’fore they coul... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3118877 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:40:12 +0100 3118877 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3096810&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fcracking-down-on-quackery%2F Professor David Colquhoun from University College London in the United Kingdom wrote an editorial that is sure to ruffle some feathers in many healthcare circles. The editoral, which appeared in this week’s Christmas issue of BMJ.com, said that the medical establishment’s acceptance of holistic approaches to medicine was embarrassing. In the early 1900s, doctors tried to eliminate snake oil and secret remedies from being sold as cure-alls to unsuspecting consumers. While they may have eliminated some of it, not long after, in the 1970s or so, alternative and complementary medicines gained popularity, although many in the so-called mainstream medicine considered them to be snake oil as well. And, not only were homeopathy, naturopathy, acupuncture, reflexology and many  other tr... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3096810 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 02:36:45 +0100 3096810 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3071160&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2485 Conclusion 62 It is for these reasons that we uphold the Decision Notice. We record our gratitude for the helpful and succinct submissions of counsel on both sides and the incisive contribution of Professor Colquhoun. We wish to add that, whilst we have not accepted the great majority of the arguments advanced by UCLAN, we do not in any way seek to cast doubt on the veracity of the evidence of its witnesses, nor the honesty and loyalty with which they have sought to serve its interests. 63 Our decision is unanimous. Signed David Farrar Q.C.   Watch this space to see what can now be revealed. Follow-up (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3071160 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:34:49 +0100 3071160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3039740&cid=t_102829_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F30%2Fcomplementary-medicine-pharmacists%2F I don’t know if the situation is the same in other countries, but in the Netherlands we can only get prescribed medications in pharmacies. Drugstores are only allowed to sell over-the counter (OTC) medicines. Most Pharmacies have a small shop of 5 square meters (besides a large storage room). What surprises me is that the counter [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3039740 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:05:54 +0100 3039740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3035874&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F2009%2F11%2Fall-bow-before-the-mighty-power-of-the-nocebo-effect%2F Ben Goldacre, Saturday 28 November 2009, The Guardian This week the parliamentary science and technology select committee looked into the evidence behind the MHRA’s decision to allow homeopathy sugar pill labels to make medical claims without evidence of efficacy, and the funding of homeopathy on the NHS. There were some comedy highlights, as you might expect [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3035874 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:08:00 +0100 3035874 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3029776&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F2009%2F11%2Fparliamentary-science-and-technology-select-committee-on-homeopathy-today%2F I gave evidence at the Parliamentary SciTech committtee today for their enquiry into whether the government had used scientific evidence properly in making their decisions about MHRA licenses for homeopathic pills, and homeopathy treatment on the NHS. This was a mini-enquiry as a result of interest expressed by the public, which is excellently democratic, you [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3029776 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:56:27 +0100 3029776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3008126&cid=t_102829_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fhomeopathy-really-doesnt-work.html Conclusion: Overall the results of this review found no evidence of effectiveness for homeopathy for the global symptoms, core symptoms or related outcomes of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Homeopathy for headache? – Results: There is insufficient evidence to support or refute the use of homeopathy for managing headache; studies published to date are flawed. Homeopathic medicines for adverse effects of cancer treatments – Conclusion: There is no convincing evidence for the efficacy of homeopathic medicines for other adverse effects of cancer treatments. Homeopathy in allergies and respiratory conditions – Conclusion: There is insufficient evidence to judge whether or not homeopathy is useful in the treatment of allergic, ENT and respiratory conditions. Quackwat... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3008126 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:00:45 +0100 3008126 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2971985&cid=t_102829_123_f&fid=39035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liddlekidzblog.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fus-health-care-best-in-world.html For many Americans there is an unfortunate notion that our health care is the best in the world, so, when I recently read an article entitled "The Epidemic of Medical Child Abuse, and what can be done", I had to share some statements and comment. Just read the first statement from author, Dana Ullman: The primary purpose of this article is to encourage a stronger commitment from doctors and parents to consider using safer medical care for infants and children FIRST before resorting to more dangerous treatments. I absolutely agree with this statement. It's not to say that there are not medical treatments which are necessary and lifesaving, but are there options. What are those options? Take constipation for example. I have seen numerous children hospitalized due to constipation. When if... Liddle Kidz Infant and Pediatric Massage Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2971985 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:30:00 +0100 2971985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2842485&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7920 Australia’s judicial system has found baby Gloria’s parents guilty of failing to get proper medical attention for their child who had ezcema and have been sentenced to jail (via Digg.com) The couple’s infant daughter died from an infection her weakened immune system could not fight off in May 2002, after her parents watched her health “deteriorate before their eyes.” The Sams, from Earlwood, were found guilty by a Supreme Court jury in June of their daughter’s manslaughter by gross criminal negligence. The jury found the couple had breached their duty of care as parents by persisting with alternative remedies for their daughter’s skin condition which “plainly weren’t working” instead of seeking conventional medical help. Adults c... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2842485 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2842485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2719653&cid=t_102829_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F21%2Ffriday-foolery-1-on-homeopathy-nutritionists-and-toothiologists%2F Widely referred to on twitter, shown on the blog of drShock, and already cited in 2008… But for those who do not know the Irish standup comedian Dara Ó Briain or his “Homeopathy & Nutritionists vs Real Science!” here is the video: Some great oneliners: (Hé but) “Science knows it doesn’t know anything, otherwise it would stop [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2719653 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 06:43:38 +0100 2719653 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611130&cid=t_102829_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fone-quack-clinic-goes-another-springs.html I just discovered a new site, Homoeopathy Ireland. It's for a clinic in Wexford claim to specialise in the "leading childhood epidemics of our time: Autism, ADD/ADHD, Asthma and other allergies."Clearly these are all conditions in which homeopathy has been shown to have no effect whatsoever. But then this form of "medicine" has been shown to help many who have "a vague sense of unease or a touch of the nerves or even just more money than sense" then the homeopaths will be "there for them with a bottle of basically just water on one hand and a huge invoice in the other."It's rather spooky that I learn of the existence of this clinic claiming to be able to heal the body of autistic children and hence their minds (gak) on the same day I read of the closure of a USA clinic promising much the s... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611130 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:50:00 +0100 2611130 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2580207&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fhomeopathy-at-work.html An NHS BLOG DOCTOR reader draws my attention to this video.Joy. (Source: NHS Blog Doctor) NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2580207 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:19:00 +0100 2580207 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576588&cid=t_102829_88_f&fid=35612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheknifeman.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Falternative-medicine.html (Source: The KnifeMan) The KnifeMan blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576588 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:25:00 +0100 2576588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576619&cid=t_102829_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fhomeopathic-er.html Last week, I heard Simon Singh at the World Conference of Science Journalists discussing the state of England’s libel laws, chiropractic, and more. At least I assume that’s what he was discussing, the acoustics in the conference centre were terrible and he seemed to be showing a Katie Melua video at one point, and my aging aural cavities really couldn’t cope. Regardless, there is growing support for Singh’s defence against the British Chiropractic Association who somehow managed to sue him for libel against their organisation. I always thought it was only individuals that could be libelled not organisations. In an article in The Guardian, Singh apparently referred to certain practices as bogus, on the basis that they allegedly have no clinical trials or scientific e... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576619 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:00:35 +0100 2576619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2572914&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7377 Not so dilute Brit humour via White Coat Underground See also Homeopathic ER, for the American version from the Malaysian Medical Resources Homeopathic A&E (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2572914 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2572914 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2570471&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1864 Hilarious. (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2570471 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:28:20 +0100 2570471 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2511650&cid=t_102829_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2Ffda-warns-consumers-to-discard-zicam-products%2F In an unusual move earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted consumers that Zicam Cold Remedy products have been associated with long lasting or even permanent loss of smell. FDA recommends that consumers stop using these products and that they throw away any that might still be in their homes. The affected products include Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, and Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size (the last one is a previously discontinued product). The products had been sold by Matrixx Initiatives to reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms; however, they have never been shown to be effective. These products were formulated and sold for intranasal use and may have contained zinc, which is potentially toxic to the nasal membranes. Th... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2511650 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:12:13 +0100 2511650 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2523003&cid=t_102829_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1747 Homeopathy has become boring, so I’ll keep this short. It’s clear that the public have rumbled the fraud and that homeopathy is heading back to where it was in the 1960s, a small lunatic fringe on the High Street. All university ‘degrees’ in homeopathy have closed their doors in the last two years.  Even Peter Fisher sounds increasingly desperate in his attempts to defend it. If it were not for the unconstitutional interference in politics of the Prince of Wales, homeopathy would probably have sunk even further.  Princes who meddle like that should be allowed to cool off in the Tower of London. I can’t understand why his mother doesn’t restrain him before he destroys the monarchy altogether. The homeopathy industry reminds me of the cigarette ... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2523003 Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:09:34 +0100 2523003 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2473436&cid=t_102829_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1704 Jump to follow-up This is another short interruption in the epic self-destruction of chiropractors.  In a sense it is more serious.  One expects quacks to advocate quackery.  What you don’t expect is that the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) will endorse it.  Neither do you expect the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to betray its mandate to make sure that medicines work. The saga of the NICE low back pain guidance has been the subject of a deluge of criticism, It seems doubtful that the guidance can survive, not least because of its absurd endorsement of chiropractic, at a time when chiropractic is undergoing self-immolation as a consequence of the persecution of Simon Singh by the British Chiropractic Association (see he... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2473436 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:37:28 +0100 2473436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452539&cid=t_102829_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1661 Jump to follow-up Latest from ABC News (Australia) Parents guilty of eczema baby manslaughter There have been emotional scenes at a Sydney court where a homeopath and his wife were found guilty of the manslaughter of their baby daughter. Thomas Sam and his wife Manju Sam were convicted over the death of their nine-month-old Gloria. Thomas and Manju Sam leave the NSW Supreme Court (AAP: Paul Miller, file photo) The baby girl had severe eczema and died of septicemia in 2002. After a four-week trial the Supreme Court jury took less than two days to reach its decision. The Crown argued the couple did not seek conventional medical treatment for their child, instead treating her with homeopathic drops. The defence argued the couple were not warned about how sick the child was by med... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452539 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:28:45 +0100 2452539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452541&cid=t_102829_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1606 This article, which was some time in gestation, appeared shortly afte the last degree in homeopathy in the UK closed its doors. So perhaps it should have been called The Return of Reason. What’s interesting is that it has become commonplace for the mainstream newspapers to print articles like this and to dump some of their whackier lifestyle articles. The print version had a much better title too, The Retreat from Reason, with a two-page spread.. They published the entire ‘Patients’ Guide to Magic Medicine‘ as a sidebar on page 4. To these has now been added, inspired by Jack of Kent, Libel: A very expensive remedy, to be used only when you have no evidence. Appeals to alternative practitioners because truth is irrelevant One part of the article that I particular... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452541 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:18:35 +0100 2452541 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2879565&cid=t_102829_123_f&fid=39035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liddlekidzblog.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fprevent-and-treat-flu-infantchildren.html The following was written by Dr. David Berger of Wholistic Pediatricsused with permissionNote: This information is not intended to replace a physician/patient contact. It is for general purposes only. Please be aware that these therapies have not been evaluated in large, multi-centered studies. One must always weigh the risks and benefits of each therapy on an individualized basis. Please contact your physician if you have further questions or concerns about the flu.Influenza is a virus that typically begins to appear in the Fall and then recedes as Spring progresses. The H1N1 “Swine” Flu is apparently a typical influenza virus, in that it has many of the same symptoms as a common cold, but often starts with a high spiking fever, shaking chills, headache, muscle ache, and pain when mov... Liddle Kidz Infant and Pediatric Massage Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2879565 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:12:00 +0100 2879565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2414824&cid=t_102829_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1364 On 24 July 2006, I sent a request to the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN), under the Freedom of Information Act  (2000)   I asked to see the teaching materials that were used on their BSc Homeopathy course.  The request was refused, citing the exemption under section 43(2) of the Act (Commercial Interests).  Two internal reviews were then held. These reviews upheld and the original refusal on the grounds of commercial interests, Section 43(3), and additionally claimed exemption under Section 21 “that is reasonably accessible to applicants by other means (upon the payment of a fee)….i.e. by enrolling on the course….” In 21 October 2006 I appealed to the Office of the Information commisioner. (The”public authority” means... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2414824 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:04:15 +0100 2414824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2347876&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D6745 The BBC news reports on a Cochrane study which reviewed studies on homeopathic medicines and claim som may ease the side-effects of cancer treatments without interfering in how they work. The only ones worth noting are calendula - from marigolds - which reduced acute dermatitis in breast cancer patients more effectively than the more conventional treatment trolamine, and Traumeel S, a mixture which includes belladonna, arnica, St John’s wort and echinacea, which was “effective in reducing stomatisis - painful mouth sores - when used as a mouthwash”. However as Professor Ernst said, there were “several problems with the body of evidence examined by this review”: “First, independent replications are lacking completely but would be necessary before we can... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2347876 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2347876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2347878&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D6714 Clicking on the above will take you to a larger image suitable for printing. Perhaps someone should distribute it to the MOH. Made by the “The American Institute for the Destruction of Tooth Fairy Science” no less via Science Based Medicine Related MMR posts on Homeopathy from the Malaysian Medical Resources A shitty poster about Homeopathy (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2347878 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2347878 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2307454&cid=t_102829_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsandnsurf.medbrains.net%2F2009%2F04%2Fquackery-without-scruples%2F With disappointment I report the existence of the organisation called “Homeopaths Without Borders” . Yes, really. They really do exist.  I have to agree with PZ Myers who, given the brazen adulteration the good name of MSF (”Doctors Without Borders”), thinks that “Quackery Without Scruples” is more appropriate. The propagation of any practice - especially something [...] (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2307454 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:00:26 +0100 2307454 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2308084&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1329 In March 2007 I wrote a piece in Nature on Science degrees without the science.  At that time there were five “BSc” degrees in homeopathy. A couple of weeks ago I checked the UCAS site for start in 2009, and found there was only one full “BSc (hons)” left and that was at Westminster University. Today [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2308084 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:12:35 +0100 2308084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2284467&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fquacks-taking-over-winchester.html Professor Papa Limba, emeritus Professor of Homeopathy and personal physician to his Royal Highness, the Quacktitioner Royal,  is the former Lib Dem candidate for Winchester North.Daily Mash++++++++++++A distressed nurse in the south of England writes in to tell me that the quacks are taking roost at the Royal Hampshire Country Hospital, Winchester.You are warmly invited to a day of Homeopathy presented by Doctors,Dentists and Vets working in the Wessex region. You will learn about the history of Homeopathy and its basic principles and philosophy.What is the NHS doing giving floor space and credence to this nonsense?.We will present the latest evidence showing positive benefits in a range of conditions.At least it will be a short meeting. Full details here:-Homeopathy in Practicequacktiti... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2284467 Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:13:00 +0100 2284467 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2284475&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fstafford-hospitals-still-better-than.html Britain's leading newspaper tells how Stafford Hospital fought to hit New Labour health targets. Put your coffee down before you read the full article or, like Dr Crippen, you will be hairdrying your keyboard for half an hour.One of [Stafford Hospital's] main innovations was a drive-in morgue which allowed ambulances to deposit live patients directly into the mortuary, sometimes days earlier than would have been the case had they just been left to die in a corridor in line with NHS targets...The Daily Mash (Source: NHS Blog Doctor) NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2284475 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:09:00 +0100 2284475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2256102&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fquacktitioner-royal-and-detox-fraud.html The world sniggers at the heir to the British Throne.++++++++++Let’s face it, the Quacktitioner Royal is not the sharpest knife in the drawer, even in a Royal drawer renowned for bluntness. Mostly, he is a harmless old duffer and his rambling opinions may be dismissed as nothing more than a source of amusement. Now, however, he has gone too far. He has joined the ranks of the pill and vitamin salesmen. Prince Charles has taken his place with Patrick Holford and Gillian MacKeith. Last December, in “The Quacktitioner Royal goes walkabout” we learnt of his visit to Nelson’s. Nelson’s flog overpriced nostrums to people who may be ill. On their company website they say:Homeopathy today is now widely accepted as an effective treatment for many conditions…NelsonsThat statement is dis... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2256102 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 22:36:00 +0100 2256102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2414828&cid=t_102829_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1191 BSc courses in homeopathy are closing. Is it a victory for campaigners, or just the end of the Blair/Bush era? The Guardian carries a nice article by Anthea Lipsett, The Opposite of Science (or download pdf of print version). Dr Peter Davies, dean of Westminster’s school of integrated health, says “he welcomes the debate but it isn’t as open as he would like.” Well you can say that again. The University of Westminster has refused to send me anything much, and has used flimsy excuses to avoid complying with the Freedom of Information Act. Nevertheless a great deal has leaked out. Not just amethysts emit hig Yin energy, but a whole lot more (watch this space). Given what is already in the public, arena, how can they possibly say things like this? “Those t... DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2414828 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:27:51 +0100 2414828 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2170625&cid=t_102829_88_f&fid=38203&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprecordialthump.medbrains.net%2F2009%2F02%2F09%2Fhomeopathy-revisited%2F A month ago I wrote a post about homeopathy. Since then I have unearthed a few nuggets of gold that have lead me to revisit the subject. HOMEOPATHS WITHOUT BORDERS That’s right! This organisation really exists. I agree whole-heartedly with PZ Myers who suggests that “Quackery Without Borders” might well be a more appropriate name… BAD SCIENCE Dr Ben Goldacre is author of Bad Science. He wrote a couple excellent articles on homeopathy that were published in late 2007. “Benefits and risks of homeopathy” was published in the Lancet and concisely reviews the (lack of) evidence for homeopathy, but also shows how homeopathy can benefit a patient. However, I think the placebo effect should be better harnessed by medical professionals rather than left to quacks... AEQUANIMITAS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2170625 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:52:44 +0100 2170625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2169872&cid=t_102829_88_f&fid=35612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheknifeman.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fargument-s-against.html I saw a comment fly past in the ether recently, suggesting that the commenter knew MMR was responsible for autism, and until the Government /medical profession produced an alternative explanation for every single case, they would continue to do so.It is very difficult to explain something poorly understood. Scientific method does not always work that way, and it is closed minded to imagine that it does.For example:I have a theory that homeopathic medicines are in fact poisoning us, and causing stupidity, and possibly gullibility too. Oh, and IBS. (Irritable, not inflammatory).My reasoning is thus: people who take homeopathic remedies, and believe they work appear stupid and gullible to me. There also seems to be an increased frequency of IBS among these people.I also think it is affecting ... The KnifeMan blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2169872 Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:32:00 +0100 2169872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2144897&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D984 This letter appeared in the Times on Friday 30 January, 2009. It was prompted by the news from the University of Salford, but its main purpose was to try to point out to the Department of Health that you can’t hope to regulate alternative treatments in any sensible way while continuing to push under [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2144897 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:24:14 +0100 2144897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2121506&cid=t_102829_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F01%2F20%2Fdiuss-departmental-report-2008%2F The Commons Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee, in their report on the activities of the Department for Innovation, Universities, Science & Skills find that the chief scientific adviser Professor John Beddington has failed to challenge the government on its alternative medicine and drug classification policies.  They suggest there is a risk that the customary, strong public voice from the Government Chief Scientific Adviser advocating policy based on evidence-based science will become muted. You can read the select committee’s report here: House of Commons Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee (2008) DIUS’s Departmental Report 2008: Third Report of Session 2008–09: Volume I Report, together with formal minutes. London: TSO. House of ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2121506 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:26:57 +0100 2121506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2096043&cid=t_102829_133_f&fid=35127&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefamilyvoyage.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fguest-post-by-gordon-medical-experts.html Pure, refreshing, and lacking all medicinal properties.Oh this is delicious. I had another comment from the person who was unhappy with my assessment of homeopathy recently, and whose contribution was so hilarious that I dedicated a post to answering her/him.Well s/he came back and it's beautiful. I showed Gordon what this person wrote and he decided that he wanted to leave a comment. But I don't want his words of wisdom buried away as a comment on a post written last year so I offered him the opportunity to write a guest post for my award winning (snarf) blog. He has agreed.So, I take great pleasure in introducing the first even contribution to the blogosphere (he's not written so much as a comment before; too busy doing properly useful stuff like trying to cure cancer and that) from the ... The Voyage blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2096043 Sun, 11 Jan 2009 09:54:00 +0100 2096043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2093781&cid=t_102829_88_f&fid=38203&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprecordialthump.medbrains.net%2F2009%2F01%2F09%2Fhomeopathy%2F Some years ago I saw the Horizon documentary “Homeopathy - The Test”, which assesses the scientific validity (or lack thereof…) of homeopathy. (courtesy of YouTube) It makes great viewing for many reasons. Firstly, it examines the claims of, and possible explanations for, the effectiveness of homeopathy. It takes scientific reports for the effectiveness of homeopathy seriously, and then puts them to the test. The film also provides an excellent introduction to the “double-blind randomised controlled trial” - the study design generally recognised in medical science as the “gold standard”, because it removes confounding factors and accounts for the placebo effect. Brilliant arch-skeptic and debunker James Randi plays a key role in the story; his pres... AEQUANIMITAS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2093781 Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:52:20 +0100 2093781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2075526&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D675 The National Health Executive (”the Independent Journal for Senior Health Service Managers) asked for an article about quackery. This is a version of that article with live links. Download the pdf version. On May 23 th 2006 a letter was sent to the chief executives of 467 NHS Trusts. It was reported as a front page [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2075526 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:27:28 +0100 2075526 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2061068&cid=t_102829_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2Fw9dzy4maCiU%2F That’s how autism is referred to in a  story in yesterday’s Philadelphia Examiner about “assembling your medical team” including osteopathic physicians. There’s mention of finding “relief from autism” via homeopathic methods, and autism is discussed as if it were a disease like cancer—which autism is indeed not. And no, after 11-plus years raising my autistic son, no way do I feel that it’s been some “horror” I wish to run away from, or that I ever need “relief from autism.” Sure I do (as one new story today puts it) “worry about everything,” but, really, it’s all better with Charlie. Tags: asd, asperger syndrome, autism, blindness, cancer, Health, homeopathy, osteopathy, pdd-nos, quackery, Sci... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2061068 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:00:27 +0100 2061068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2046729&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fquacktitioner-royal-goes-walkabout.html Granny's little phialsOh! Bloody hell, the Quacktitioner Royal has gone walk-about again. Yesterday, he visited Nelsons, those well-known purveyors of homeopathic "remedies” (sic). He was alone, as her-indoors had thrown a sicky. Presumably she does not "do" homeopathy.Nelson's homepathy website features some of the usual guff about homeopathy:Homeopathy today is now widely accepted as an effective treatment for many conditions, and is available on the NHS in some cases. Recognised by an Act of Parliament in 1948 as a safe alternative form of medical treatment, it has often been used successfully where other forms of medicine have failed.NelsonsThat is downright dishonest. Homeopathy is not "widely accepted" as an "effective treatment" for anything. Will someone please report this to th... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2046729 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:46:00 +0100 2046729 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1933497&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D282 Jump to the homeopathy debate Obama wins! Bush and Blair have gone. Could this mark the beginning of the end of the fashion for believing things that aren’t true? Trinity College Dublin: the Phil. “Creationism is a valid world view” This is the 324th year of the Trinity College Philosophical Society (known locally as the ‘Phil’).  Its [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1933497 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:25:29 +0100 1933497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1926384&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fmore-good-news-from-department-of.html Emeritus Professor of WibbleI hadn't realised, and thanks to the irrepressible David Colquhoun for telling me, that it is now possible to get a fully accredited BSc in Wibble from Thames Valley University. Full details here. Personally, I blame the malign influence of the Quacktitioner Royal who is forever promulgating this guff.Moving away from wibble, and following on from the recent debate about who should and should not be allowed to call themselves "doctor", I have received an email from a colleague down at Chertsey, who draws my attention to one of the outstanding Nurse Consultants at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey.Let's give a big NHS BLOG DOCTOR welcome to Heather Hawksley. Heather is a Consultant Nurse working in the pain clinic. At least, my colleague says she is, but checking on ... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1926384 Sat, 01 Nov 2008 10:22:00 +0100 1926384 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1924446&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F2008%2F11%2Fhot-foul-air%2F Guy Ritchie has cancelled Madonna’s order for tens of thousands of pounds worth of special Kabbalah water to fill their swimming pool. It’s always uncomfortable when we have to humour someone close to us in the name of avoiding conflict. Right now in Thames Valley University, for example, entire science departments must be feeling slightly [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1924446 Sat, 01 Nov 2008 07:11:33 +0100 1924446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1902367&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D260 Thames Valley University is one of those shameful institutions that offer Bachelor of Science degrees in homeopathy. They don’t stop there though. They’ll teach you several other forms of make-believe medicine. Among these is “nutritional medicine”. This is taught at the Plaskett Nutritional Medicine College which is now part of Thames Valley University. Everyone is for [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1902367 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:43:58 +0100 1902367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1876630&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D259 It seems that validation committees often don’t look beyond the official documents. As a result, the validations may not be worth the paper they are written on. Try this one. One of the best bits of news recently was the downfall of Matthias Rath.  He’s the man who peddled vitamin pills for AIDS in Africa, and encouraged [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1876630 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:07:27 +0100 1876630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1750162&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D4247 Harriet Hall reviews Trick or Treatment: The Undeniable Facts about Alternative Medicine by Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst in Science-based Medicine The authors had made this strong statement: While there is tentative evidence that acupuncture might be effective for some forms of pain relief and nausea, it fails to deliver any medical benefit in any other situations and its underlying concepts are meaningless. With respect to homeopathy, the evidence points towards a bogus industry that offers patients nothing more than a fantasy. Chiropractors, on the other hand, might compete with physiotherapists in terms of treating some back problems, but all their other claims are beyond belief and can carry a range of significant risks. Herbal medicine undoubtedly offers some interesting remedies, but... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1750162 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1750162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1734446&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D249 Jump to follow-up The first major victory in the battle for the integrity of universities seems to have been won. This email was sent by Kate Chatfield who is module leader for the “BSc” in homeopathic medicine at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN). from Kate Chatfield… Dear All, It’s a sad day for us here at UCLan [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1734446 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:20:16 +0100 1734446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1714470&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D246 This post is written in part as a distraction from a plague of lawyers, in New Zealand, here in the UK, and now in the USA (my movie, Integratative baloney@Yale, has recently been removed from YouTube. More on that coming soon). The duty of an advocate is to take fees, and in return for those [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1714470 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:33:13 +0100 1714470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1692125&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F2008%2F08%2Fbill-nelson-wins-the-internet%2F Ben Goldacre The Guardian, Saturday August 9 2008 Silly season is in full swing. At the Telegraph, their correspondent has gone for a bioenergetic health audit. “The resident homoeopath, Katie Jermine, quizzed me about my diet, stress levels and lifestyle. She then strapped on a wristband and plugged me into an electronic device called the Quantum QXCI, [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1692125 Sat, 09 Aug 2008 08:08:49 +0100 1692125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1692518&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D243 Samuel Hahnemann (1755 - 1843) was the originator of homeopathy. He was clearly a well-intentioned man.. There is good reason to believe that he thought dilution could not go on for ever, but he died 22 years before it became possible to calculate that his favourite 30C dilution already contained nothing at all. The [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1692518 Fri, 08 Aug 2008 23:01:14 +0100 1692518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1683854&cid=t_102829_167_f&fid=36994&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnutrition-news.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fhome-homeopathy-worked-for-me.html As well as a concerted effort by industrial and commercial interests to discredit nutrition therapy and ban vitamins and minerals there is now also a mounting campaign to ban homeopathy too.If you have ever been successfully helped by homeopathy or know someone close to you who has please sign this declaration >> HomeopathyHomeopathy to me is like TV would be to a neanderthal - I don't know how it works but it does - I had a skin condition for over 10 years that cleared within 2 weeks of visiting a homeopath. I've seen amazing results on children who are uncontaminated by modern medicine, heard many first hand anecdotal tales and I am as 'sold' as the many farmers who use homeopathy to cure their animals ills (you can't even use the placebo excuse on that one)The worst they can argue is th... Healthy Eating & Nutrition News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1683854 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:24:00 +0100 1683854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1655851&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D241 The article below is an editorial that I was asked to write for the New Zealand Medical Journal, as a comment on article in today’s edition about the misuse of the title ‘doctor’ by chiropractors. Titles are not the only form of deception used by chiropractors, so the article looks at some of [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1655851 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 11:00:31 +0100 1655851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1652774&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D240 This, I fear, is pure plagiarism, Robert Shrimsley’s piece in today’s Financial Times was so funny that it just begged to be quoted. Here it is. Surely this is a call to action. The news that Radovan Karadzic has been hiding out as some kind of homeopath has confirmed all prejudices about alternative medicine. [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1652774 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:31:58 +0100 1652774 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1561528&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D239 During the last year, there has been a very welcome flurry of good and informative books about alternative medicine. They are all written in a style that requires little scientific background, even the one that is intended for medical students. CAM, Cumming | Trick or Treatment | Snake Oil Science | Testing treatments [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1561528 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:47:08 +0100 1561528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1494744&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D233 We have often had cause to criticise Boots Alliance, the biggest retail pharmacist in the UK, because of its deeply unethical approach to junk medicine. Click here to read the shameful litany. The problem of Boots was raised recently also by Edzard Ernst at the Hay [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1494744 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:35:46 +0100 1494744 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1446635&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D231 The extent to which irrationality has become established in US Medicine is truly alarming I wrote about Quakademics in the USA and Canada on my last trip to the USA, and on my May trip I visited Yale, where I decided to try a full [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1446635 Fri, 16 May 2008 15:15:37 +0100 1446635 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1394104&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D227 Times Higher Education has published a league table showing that the University of Westminster is head of the league table for the number of courses in quackery. With fine timing, I just acquired the slides for their lecture on "vibrational medicine". See a selection of them. It seems that Amethyst; the 'Transmutator' . . .emits high Yin energy so transmuting lower energies and clearing and aligning energy disturbances . . .". This is part of a vocational "Bachelor of Science" degree. It is beyond parody. You couldn't make it up. (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1394104 Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:16:15 +0100 1394104 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1387089&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D228 This blog, along with many others, has had plenty to say about the Prince of Wales’ unconstitutional meddling in public affairs. The lovely description, Quacktitioner Royal, was coined by NHS Blog doctor. The Times published a letter from Edzard Ernst and Simon Singh on April 16th. In their forthcoming book, Trick or Treatment? Alternative [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1387089 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 06:47:42 +0100 1387089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1329315&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D224 In a wonderful demonstration of common sense, the BBC has removed all the alternative medicine pages from BBC Health web site. I expect that it was helped in making that decision by the many complaints it had received about statements on these pages that were simply not true, The existence of these pages [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1329315 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:36:12 +0100 1329315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1320524&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D642 No column this week, sorry about that, I forgot that Jesus died for our sins yesterday so I couldn’t give the company I was writing about a fair chance to respond. The story will pop up later as a bigger feature. In the meantime, no matter how hard I try to be bored of quackery, the [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1320524 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:21:51 +0100 1320524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1269558&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D620 Ben Goldacre The Guardian, Saturday March 1 2008 It was fun to hear universal jubilation over the new meta-analysis showing once again that some antidepressants aren’t much cop in mild or moderate depression: most of all on the Today programme, where a newsreader said the industry was contesting the study on the basis that it was not in [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1269558 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 01:28:47 +0100 1269558 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1245033&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D617 David Tredinnick is conservative MP for Bosworth (he was suspended without pay during the cash for questions scandal) and very keen on alternative therapies. Here is a fabulous speech from him in parliament yesterday. As you can see, he talks up the use of homeopathy as a treatment for HIV, malaria, and a whole [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1245033 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:00:09 +0100 1245033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1238293&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D219 This is the third post based on a recent trip to North America (here are the first and second) One aspect of the endarkenment, the Wal-Mart model of a university, is very much the same in the US as in the UK. At one US university, an excellent scientist offered the theory that an alien spacecraft [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1238293 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:36:35 +0100 1238293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1218443&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpodcast.cbc.ca%2Fmp3%2Fsundayedition_20080204_4624.mp3 Thursday 24 Jan. The original reason for going to North America was an invitation from the Toronto Secular Alliance and Center for Inquiry. The talk for them was given a lot of publicity, for example here and here and from the totally admirable Orac. Toronto seems to be no worse than anywhere else when it [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1218443 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:07:16 +0100 1218443 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1197585&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D216 This is the first of a several posts that have arisen from a visit to North America. One thing that the trip led to was an interest in how HR departments influence science -if you have a story about that, please email me. Following the media publicity that surrounded the lecture in Toronto, I [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1197585 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 05:12:43 +0100 1197585 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1142877&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D215 As I have often said, you don’t need to be a scientist to see that most alternative medicine is bunk, though it is bunk that is supported and propagated by an enormously wealthy industry.. There were two good examples this week, John Sutherland, who was until recently professor of English literature at UCL, understands it very [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1142877 Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:24:23 +0100 1142877 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1122598&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D213 Happy new year. not least to the folks at the homeopathy4health site .  They are jubilant about a “proof” that homeopathic dilutions could produce effects. albeit only on wheat seedlings. But guess what? After some questioning it was found that they hadn’t actually read the paper. Well I have read it, and this is the [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1122598 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 11:21:40 +0100 1122598 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1070456&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D208 Well, guess what turned up in a brown envelope this morning. A copy of the Society of Homeopaths’ Newsletter It makes interesting reading, not least when the homeopaths’ discussion group are abuzz with talk of the demise of homeopathy “The Society is urging its members to be cautious when responding to phone calls and e-mails following [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1070456 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:56:26 +0100 1070456 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1063759&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D207 Jump straight to follow up Today is World AIDS Day, and the Society of Homeopaths is holding a meeting to “discuss the evidence” concerning the idea that you can treat AIDS with sugar pills. Needless to say, there is no evidence to discuss, but that doesn’t put them off for a moment. Not content [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1063759 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 12:45:58 +0100 1063759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1062774&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F2007%2F12%2Faids-quackery-international-tour%2F Ben Goldacre The Guardian Saturday December 1 2007 If you were going to be actuarial about media coverage - an eighth of a column inch for each premature death perhaps - then this paper would be filled with diarrhoea and Aids. Today is World Aids Day: so come with me on a world tour of Aids quackery. South Africa [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1062774 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:56:33 +0100 1062774 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1052261&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F2007%2F11%2Fheres-something-you-dont-see-every-day%2F Jesus Christ, (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1052261 Tue, 27 Nov 2007 03:40:55 +0100 1052261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1040378&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D202 Here is an interchange of letters from the BMJ. George Lewith says more money should be spent by the government on research on alternative medicine. Well, only if it is spent properly, and that is not what has happened in the past. In all probability spent in this way would be [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1040378 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:45:49 +0100 1040378 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1033177&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D200 If you read nothing else on the topic, read Ben Goldacre’s best ever piece, A Kind of Magic? (Guardian, 16 Nov 2007). This started as response to “In defence of homeopathy” in the same newspaper on 13 November. On the same day, the Lancet carried a rather more academic piece by Goldacre “Benefits [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1033177 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:54:59 +0100 1033177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1031299&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D200 If you read nothing else on the topic, read Ben Goldacre’s best ever piece, A Kind of Magic? (Guardian, 16 Nov 2007). This started as response to “In defence of homeopathy” in the same newspaper on 13 November. On the same day, the Lancet carried a rather more academic piece by Goldacre “Benefits [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1031299 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 15:16:35 +0100 1031299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1030100&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F2007%2F11%2Fa-kind-of-magic%2F Time after time, properly conducted scientific studies have proved that homeopathic remedies work no better than simple placebos. So why do so many sensible people swear by them? And why do homeopaths believe they are victims of a smear campaign? Ben Goldacre follows a trail of fudged statistics, bogus surveys and widespread self-deception. (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1030100 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 01:25:58 +0100 1030100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1030101&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F2007%2F11%2Fthe-lancet-benefits-and-risks-of-homoeopathy%2F This is a piece I wrote in today’s edition of The Lancet. You can also see this article there in a nice Lancet PDF, along with a “world report” on homeopathy, and the references in pleasantly accessible Crossref format. To be honest, it almost feels silly writing about homeopathy in the Lancet. (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1030101 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:05:52 +0100 1030101 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1021495&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D197 This was not written by me, but by a homeopath, in an email that has been circulating recently. It comes from the editor of hpathy.com, not one of the bigger players in the homeopathic fantasy business. Serious panic seems to be setting in. One amusing aspect is the description of the “huge and systematic campaign”. [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1021495 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 22:54:11 +0100 1021495 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1018990&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D196 Thanks to a correspondent for alerting me to a medical emergency in France. You can read the press release here, from Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits de Santé (AFSSAPS, the French equivalent of the MHRA or FDA). Withdrawal of batches of Gingko biloba and Equisetum arvense AFSSAPS has been informed by Laboratoires Boiron of an [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1018990 Sat, 10 Nov 2007 23:19:09 +0100 1018990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1012393&cid=t_102829_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F181262480%2F Alternative treatments for autism abound, from nutritional supplements to special shots to craniosacral therapy to hyperbaric oxygen therapy to holding therapy, to name a few. November is Complementary and Alternative Medicine Month and Science Blogs considers homeopathic “remedies,” including Abel PharmBoy on Homeopathy is NOT herbal medicine and Respectful Insolence on A Real Death by Homeopathy. Sometimes it seems that one hears so much about such “alternative” treatments” that one starts to feel that just doing “the basics”—let’s say, school, speech, OT, some physical therapy—is not enough. In further honor to this month, here is a description of some real snake oil. Share This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1012393 Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:30:21 +0100 1012393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1002600&cid=t_102829_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D191 Trust Boots Boots the Chemists (now Alliance Boots) is a very big business in the UK. There have 1,450 pharmacies in the UK and employ over 100,000 people. I posted the item below a while ago, on the old Improbable Science page. I thought it deserved a bit more publicity, for the following reason. I mentioned [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1002600 Sun, 04 Nov 2007 07:39:42 +0100 1002600 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=970348&cid=t_102829_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D172 Remember Kate Birch? She was the homeopath who was caught out recommending homeopathic treatment for malarie prevention (”Homeopathy is more effective that any western medication”). Still worse she advocated homeopathic cures for malaria at a clinic in Tanzania”. The follow up to that outrageously wicked claim is posted here. Imagine my amazement when Kate Birch [...] (Source: DC's Improbable Science) DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=970348 Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:43:40 +0100 970348 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=966706&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D554 To my mind this is one of the most important parts of the story about the Society of Homeopaths bullying its critics: it’s the incredibly polite and courteous email that Dr Andy Lewis sent to the SoH after his hosting company received the first threatening letter from their solicitors. (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=966706 Sun, 21 Oct 2007 10:10:54 +0100 966706 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=965187&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D553 Ben Goldacre The Guardian Saturday October 20 2007 Ben Goldacre The Guardian Saturday October 20 2007 Let’s imagine that we live in an exotic parallel universe where I am able to use an amusing but trivial news event to illustrate a wider cultural and intellectual issue. Dr Andy Lewis runs a website called Quackometer: he criticised the Society of Homeopaths (Europe [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=965187 Sat, 20 Oct 2007 11:22:33 +0100 965187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=943226&cid=t_102829_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D171 Many people now have written about the disgraceful and dangerous claims by homeopaths to be able to prevent and cure malaria. My contribution was “Homeopathic ‘cures. for malaria: a wicked scam” One of the best contributions was on the Quackometer blog, The Gentle Art of Homeopathic Killing. But the post has vanished! Quackometer’s ISP has [...] (Source: DC's Improbable Science) DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=943226 Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:46:49 +0100 943226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=914849&cid=t_102829_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D167 At a meeting of the West Kent PCT board, on 27 September 2007, it was decided to withdraw all funding for homeopathy from the end of this financial year. This means the end for the Tunbridge Wells Homeopathic Hospital.. Congratulations to Dr James Thallon (Medical Director of the West Kent PCT) who done a good job [...] (Source: DC's Improbable Science) DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=914849 Sat, 29 Sep 2007 22:32:06 +0100 914849 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=914851&cid=t_102829_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D165 21 September 2007 Channel 4 News reported on the pressure to save money by stopping NHS funding for “unproven and disproved treatments”. Watch the video. The report started badly when the journalist, Victoria Macdonald, said that the bottles of homeopathic pills contained “only natural ingredients”. Wrong They contain NO ingredients. That is just as well perhaps, when you recall [...] (Source: DC's Improbable Science) DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=914851 Sat, 22 Sep 2007 17:17:58 +0100 914851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=885326&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D535 Okay, I’ve got a few interesting follow-ups to post, starting with Peter Chappell who you will remember from last week’s Bad Science column in the Guardian. As you know I am always keen to engage in discussion with people - see here for example - and particularly keen to hear my own ideas and criticisms themselves [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=885326 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 17:24:55 +0100 885326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=914853&cid=t_102829_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D164 Conclusion The complex of homeopathy tested in this study [...] (Source: DC's Improbable Science) DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=914853 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 04:45:51 +0100 914853 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=914854&cid=t_102829_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D162 Steven Novella, MD, an academic neurologist at Yale University, runs The Skeptics Guide to the Universe: Your Escape to Reality He is author of Weird Science , a monthly column featured in the New Haven Advocate. He is the co-founder and President of the New England Skeptical Society, Associate Editor [...] (Source: DC's Improbable Science) DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=914854 Sun, 16 Sep 2007 18:00:34 +0100 914854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=875211&cid=t_102829_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F157253110%2F Theories of what causes autism (a milk molecule?) and of how to treat autism (horseback riding and shamans) often seem to mushroom overnight and bloggers like those at Left Brain/Right Brain, at Mike Stanton’s Action for Autism and Kathleen Seidel’s Neurodiversity, at Autism Diva and Respectful Insolence tirelessly analyze and question the claims of junk/pseudo/crank science. A September 11th article on Nobel Intent on Ars Technica casts a critical eye on pseudoscience by carefully reviewing the articles in a special edition of the journal Homeopathy on the “memory of water.” Noting their consistent “concern regarding science education and the public understanding of science,” authors John Timmer, Chris Lee, Jonathan M. Gitlin, and Matt Ford write: &#823... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=875211 Sun, 16 Sep 2007 17:22:30 +0100 875211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=872128&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D531 Ben Goldacre The Guardian September 15th, 2007 Okay now look: there’s nothing wrong with the idea of homeopaths giving out sugar pills. The placebo effect can be very powerful, because it’s not just about the pill, it’s about the cultural meaning of the treatment: so we know from research that four placebo sugar pills a day are more [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=872128 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:29:40 +0100 872128 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=869475&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D528 Many thanks to everyone who took part in the Homeopathy Journal Club. The standard of commentary was very high and I think a fair amount of this stuff deserves the chance to be published in the journal itself. I know a couple of people have already submitted their work as letters, but (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=869475 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 01:22:14 +0100 869475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=867251&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.podtrac.com%2Fpts%2Fredirect.mp3%2Fbadscience.net%2Ffiles%2Ffelicity_lee_bpc_2007_chat.mp3 Sorry there was no column last week. I have not been killed in bizarre sexual experiment that went horribly wrong, a problem came up and I was out of earshot on my way to a conference, no excitement this time. Anyway, on my way through Manchester yesterday I came across Prof David Colquhoun having a [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=867251 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 01:11:19 +0100 867251 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=914856&cid=t_102829_97_f&fid=36415&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D160 The British Pharmaceutical Conference (2007) staged a debate on “Homeopathy or Allopathy. Which would you choose”. On one side was Felicity Lee (ex Chair of the Society of Homeopaths). I was on the other side. Ben Goldacre was there and he recorded the whole thing. You can listen to it here [...] (Source: DC's Improbable Science) DC's Improbable Science blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=914856 Wed, 12 Sep 2007 08:47:03 +0100 914856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=863697&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbadscience.net%2Ffiles%2Ffelicity_lee_bpc_2007_chat.mp3 Sorry there was no column last week. I have not been killed in bizarre sexual experiment that went horribly wrong, a problem came up and I was out of earshot on my way to a conference, no excitement this time. Anyway, on my way through Manchester yesterday I came across Prof David Colquhoun having a [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=863697 Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:49:20 +0100 863697 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=799202&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D490 Peter Fisher and Elsevier have very kindly given me permission to reproduce the experimental papers from the special issue of Homeopathy on the memory of water, so I’m posting them in full below. As you know I’m a strong believer in free access to academic journals, especially when they’ve been press-released and discussed in popular [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=799202 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 22:28:47 +0100 799202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=774115&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D480 A special edition of “the journal previously known as the British Journal of Homeopathy” claims to have assembled a large body of data proving that water has a memory. By which they mean, of course, a memory of more than a few picoseconds, which can explain the effects of homeopathy sugar tablets (which have been [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=774115 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:45:20 +0100 774115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=692324&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D439 Ben Goldacre Saturday June 23, 2007 The Guardian I’m dispatching this column to you from the frontline of the healing fields at Glastonbury festival, where I can cheerfully offer aura reading, structural integrative massage, soul therapy in the pyramid healing space, happy footbaths, crystal magick, positive thinking yoga and angel therapy. In an angelically charged dome. There are no [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=692324 Sat, 23 Jun 2007 11:14:02 +0100 692324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=682760&cid=t_102829_87_f&fid=34882&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbreathspakids.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fpatrick-holford-claims-remarkable.html Bowel-whisperer Patrick Holford has some disturbing ideas about vaccination. If you pay a subscription to him, you can consult his special online reports on a number of topics. One of these reports is about vaccination. I'm accustomed to anti-vax denialism and general crankery but reading this report was like allowing my eyes to turn into two fists and pummel my brain.I was slightly worried by Holford's introduction:The orthodox view is that vaccinations are essential, save lives, have few down-sides and are responsible for the decrease in deaths from many infectious diseases.These views are, however, highly questionable. One of the best reviews of the facts about immunisation is by Lynne McTaggart in the book, What Doctors Don't Tell You in which she explodes the myths surrounding vaccina... Breath Spa for Kids blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=682760 Wed, 20 Jun 2007 12:08:00 +0100 682760