The Health Robbers: A Close Look at Quackery in America
While medical science has never had more to offer, many people are turning to "alternatives" such as chiropractic, homeopathy, "organic" foods, vitamin supplements, herbs, chelation therapy, and occult "healers." Millions of Americans who are unenlightened, seriously ill, or desperate have fallen into the clutches of TV promoters, nutrition hustlers, or other con artists whose offerings are ineffective or dangerous - and sometimes lethal. But quackery is not confined to individuals who fit...
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While medical science has never had more to offer, many people are turning to "alternatives" such as chiropractic, homeopathy, "organic" foods, vitamin supplements, herbs, chelation therapy, and occult "healers." Millions of Americans who are unenlightened, seriously ill, or desperate have fallen into the clutches of TV promoters, nutrition hustlers, or other con artists whose offerings are ineffective or dangerous - and sometimes lethal. But quackery is not confined to individuals who fit the popular image of a quack. Significant numbers of well-trained physicians have strayed from science into "fad diagnoses" and unproven treatments that lack a rational basis. The Health Robbers, featuring more than twenty highly respected authorities, explains the dangers of quack medicine, "alternative" cancer remedies, health fads, and "miracle diets." It argues for stronger laws and more vigorous policing of the marketplace. And it answers such questions as: "Are 'organic' foods worth their extra cost?" "Can acupuncture cure anything?" "Will vitamin B[subscript 12] shots pep me up?" "Can diet cure arthritis?" "Will spinal adjustments help my health?" "Will amino acids 'pump up' my muscles?" "Where can reliable information be obtained?" and "What's the best way to get good medical care?" Even if the answers to some of these questions seem obvious, the details in this volume, written in an informative, highly readable, and easy-to-understand style, will astound you. Quackery often leads to harm because it turns ill people away from legitimate and trusted therapeutic procedures. However, its heaviest toll is in financial loss not only to those who pay directly, but to everyone who pays for bogus treatments through taxes, insurance premiums, and other ways that are less obvious. Chapter titles include: "The Food Fear Epidemic" ("Beware of chemical con men"), "The Overselling of Herbs" ("More hype than help"), "Quackery and the Media" ("Should we believe what we see and hear?" Publishers Weekly Arguing that ``quackery is at an all-time high,'' psychiatrist Barrett ( Health Schemes, Scams and Frauds ) and Jarvis, an adviser to the American Council on Science and Health, in a comprehensive if not altogether well-balanced survey, come down hard on misleading advertising and news media, sales and network marketing of weight-control and beauty systems. The authors also deplore patients who renounce established practices for alternative remedies, self-doctoring with herbs, vitamins, etc., along with psychic and cult healing. One questions their failure to distinguish among forms of non-traditional treatment, in effect putting chiropractic into the same category as, say, faith healing, although the efficacy of chiropractic and acupuncture is no longer a very controversial issue. The authors conclude with a review of our health laws and agencies (Federal Trade Commission, Food and Drug Administration) and other sources of information and avenues to redress abuse. Author tour. (Oct.)
IntroductionForeword: P. T. Barnum was rightAcknowledgmentsContributors1How Quackery Sells: Clinical tricks of the supersalesman12Vitamin Pushers and Food Quacks: How to spot a nutrition hustler233The Make-Believe Doctors: Medical impostors454Occult Health Practices: Why the proof of the pudding is not in the eating555The Food-Fear Epidemic: Beware of chemical con men676"Alternative" Cancer Treatment: Doublespeak that can kill you837The Misery Merchants: Exploiting arthritis sufferers1018Weight Control: Facts, Fads, and Frauds: Beware of fat profiteers1139Avoiding the "Marginal" Medic: How to spot a fuzzy-thinking physician12510Unproven "Allergies": An Epidemic of Nonsense "Environmental illness" and the "yeast connection"13711Immunoquackery: Riding the crest of AIDS15512The Spine Salesmen: Don't let chiropractors fool you16113Homeopathy: Is It Medicine? Much ado about nothing19114Genuine Fakes: The "organic" ripoff20315The Overselling of Herbs: More hype than help21316Vitalistic Gurus and Their Legacies: Natural health?22517The Multilevel Mirage: Person-to-person hype25318Acupuncture: Nonsense with Needles: Don't get stuck25919Nutrition for Athletes: Myths vs. Facts: An insider's views on "ergogenic aids"26920Quackery by Mail: The "guarantees" are as bogus as the product28121The Tooth Robbers: The unfounded attack on fluoridation29522Dubious Dental Care: Delusions and poor science in the dental office30723The Gadgeteers: Exploiting science32124The Miracle Merchants: Faith healing doesn't work33725The Eye Exorcisors: Don't throw away your glasses34726The "Holistic" Hodgepodge: Look beyond the slogans35527Prominent Promoters: Have they confused you?36728"Health Freedom" Crusaders: Fighting to make quackery legal39729The Mental Health Maze: How to find a therapist42130The Mind Robbers: Destructive cults44331Quackery and the Media: Should we believe what we see and hear?44732Why Quackery Persists: Quacks never sleep45733The Truth-Seekers: Voices of scientific truth46534Strengths and Weaknesses of Our Laws: How well does government protect you?47735Getting the Most from Your Doctor: Communication tips48536Fighting Quackery: Tips for Activists: Your effort may even save a life!495Recommended Reading501Index507
\ Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly\ Arguing that ``quackery is at an all-time high,'' psychiatrist Barrett ( Health Schemes, Scams and Frauds ) and Jarvis, an adviser to the American Council on Science and Health, in a comprehensive if not altogether well-balanced survey, come down hard on misleading advertising and news media, sales and network marketing of weight-control and beauty systems. The authors also deplore patients who renounce established practices for alternative remedies, self-doctoring with herbs, vitamins, etc., along with psychic and cult healing. One questions their failure to distinguish among forms of non-traditional treatment, in effect putting chiropractic into the same category as, say, faith healing, although the efficacy of chiropractic and acupuncture is no longer a very controversial issue. The authors conclude with a review of our health laws and agencies (Federal Trade Commission, Food and Drug Administration) and other sources of information and avenues to redress abuse. Author tour. (Oct.)\ \ \ \ \ BooknewsThis collection of articles follows the American Medical Association's "party line." The papers, written for the layperson, rail against chiropractic, homeopathy, herbs, organic foods, acupuncture, eye exercises, antifluoridation, diet pills, unproven allergies, fraudulent AIDS and cancer cures, and other practices, lumping together the good, the bad, and the ugly. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)\ \ \ William BeattyIn her foreword, Ann Landers states that each chapter is written by a "highly respected authority in his or her field," which makes editor Barrett an authority on cancer, arthritis, weight control, allergies, AIDS, the skeletal system, nutrition, and mental health. Hmmm. This book that broadly examines quackery and its ramifications includes especially good chapters on "Make-Believe Doctors," "Prominent Promoters" (i.e., individuals), "Health Crusaders" (organizational variety), and "Quackery and the Media" (in which "60 Minutes" gets its knocks); and James Harvey Young's "Why Quackery Persists" is the type of thoughtful and clearly expressed piece he's been producing for years. The last three chapters provide excellent material on, respectively, existing legal protections and what laws are still needed, "Getting the Most from Your Doctor," and organizations and methods for fighting quackery.\ \
