Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] Is science a religion?

[Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Tue, 4 May 2004, Stephen Montgomery-Smith wrote:

> Stephen:  I've got a bad case of pink eye.
> Friend:   Make a tea from the herb eyebright and apply it to your eyes.
> Stephen goes to see a Doctor.
> Doctor:   Here are some eyedrops.  They contain an antibiotic, although most
> likely you have a virus, but even so they should provide some soothing effect.
> Stephen:  I heard of a herbal remedy called eyebright.
> Doctor:   Don't bother.  It is a waste of time.
>
> So Stephen gets the eyedrops, and also eyebright teabags.  The eyedrops
> sting his eyes, and don't do any good.  The eyebright brings an
> immediate and profound soothing effect.  Stephen does a web search for
> eyebright, and learns that many people believe that eyebright has
> healing effects, but no-one has ever scientifically verified these
> claims.


This is a good example of poor medical practice.  MD programs involve no
science training, so physicians are not trained as scientists.  In fact, I
would say that they are basically trained to believe what they are told
and not question things too much.  It's all about memorization of 'facts'
handed down by the medical authorities.

Giving antibiotics to people with viral infections is generally not
considered good practice.  In the past few years we've been very
concerned about the growth of antibiotic resistant strains of harmful
bacteria.  These strains are helped by exposure to low doses of
antibiotic.  Thus, it is poor practice to subscribe antibiotics to people
who don't have a bacterial infection.

Another thing to think about:  Physicians are influenced very strongly, it
seems, by pharmaceutical corporations.  These corporations sell
antibiotics but they don't sell Eyebright.

Mike
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