Doubt – Part 4
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death.
Shakespeare (Hamlet)
The great experimental principle is doubt, philosophic doubt which leaves to the mind its freedom and initiative, and from which the virtues most valuable to investigators in medicine are derived. True science teaches us to doubt, and in ignorance, to refrain.
Claude Bernard
The scientific method rarely confirms what is true. The proper function of science is to demonstrate what is false.
Karl Popper
The most common element by weight on Planet Earth is iron. Consistent with the ubiquity of irony, the most common nutrient deficiency in infants and children is iron. Say we told a pregnant woman “If we make sure your newborn/infant/toddler receives sufficient “X” her/his brain function will be significantly healthier.” Might she and her partner make certain “X” was supplied properly?Placental transfusion/breast feeding/iron rich foods and Fe drops starting at 6-9 months (see attachment). We can immediately imagine dozens of QI quality bedrocks of equal value, do-able, awaiting us.
When Roger Goodell (Commissioner of the NFL) said ~5 years ago “There are more concussions in youth soccer and basketball than football.”,…….oh my goodness the uproar and criticism that was heaped upon him. He was right (see attachment). Are we going to outlaw soccer, basketball, and lacrosse?
My colleague Mitchell Tsai sent me the entertaining third attachment re: useless therapies,…….lest we providers forget our humble past and its lessons.
One way to enjoy life is to read. Reading is pure unadulterated exhilarant listening. You can only interrupt yourself, not the writer.
Joe Kaempf, MD
District VIII Oregon Representative
Portland, OR
Volume 13, Number 10