Dr Greenstone’s article “The history of bloodletting” [BCMJ 2010;52(1):12-14 [9]] was interesting, as was his suggestion that some of our practices may in future seem quaint or risible.
He mentioned our overuse of antibiotics, polypharmacy, and the bluntness of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Other practices which may not stand the bright light of scientific scrutiny include the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome and PSA screening for prostate cancer. Does someone have other suggestions?
—Robert Shepherd, MD
Victoria
Links
[1] https://bcmj.org/cover/april-2010
[2] https://bcmj.org/author/robert-shepherd-md
[3] https://bcmj.org/node/3710
[4] https://bcmj.org/print/letters/re-bloodletting
[5] https://bcmj.org/printmail/letters/re-bloodletting
[6] http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://bcmj.org/print/letters/re-bloodletting
[7] https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Re: Bloodletting&url=https://bcmj.org/print/letters/re-bloodletting&via=BCMedicalJrnl&tw_p=tweetbutton
[8] https://bcmj.org/javascript%3A%3B
[9] https://bcmj.org/issues/history-bloodletting
[10] https://bcmj.org/modal_forms/nojs/webform/176
[11] https://bcmj.org/%3Finline%3Dtrue%23citationpop