Review of Overkill by Paul Offit
This brief book elaborates on a simple idea: much of late 20th century medicine is bullshit.
Offit first brings up a topic, then cites five to seven studies to explain why he’s right and a good number of doctors are wrong. The topics range from antibiotic courses (there is no evidence for consuming the whole prescription of antibiotics after symptoms have disappeared) to the stupidity of Rest/Ice/Compression/Elevation for ankle sprains (as for knee pain, motion is the cure). Among the villains: stents (which don’t work regardless of how they’re implemented -heart disease goes way beyond something which can be fixed by opening up a portion of an artery), anti-fever drugs (which lengthen one’s infectious period), and vitamin supplements (either dangerous or ineffective). The book also defends mercury dental fillings, aspirin after (but not before) a first stroke or heart attack, and, probably most controversially, exposing infants to foods in order to prevent allergies to them in the future. Offit points out Israel’s peanut-based Bamba snack reduced peanut allergies by 90% relative to British children not exposed to peanuts.
Nineteen topics are so covered. The volume concludes with a list of plausible reasons for why doctors remain so obstinately committed to ineffective treatment in the face of evidence. I suggest every one of my readers who is remotely interested in medical topics purchase this book.