Comments for The SkeptVet Blog http://skeptvet.com/Blog A Vet Takes a Science-Based Look at Complementary and Alternative Medicine Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:31:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on Ape, Not Monkey Comic–What’s the Harm? by skeptvet http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2010/03/ape-not-monkey-comic-whats-the-harm/comment-page-1/#comment-469 skeptvet Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:31:37 +0000 http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?p=368#comment-469 Yes, stories like this are all too easy to find. :-( Yes, stories like this are all too easy to find. :-(

]]> Comment on Ape, Not Monkey Comic–What’s the Harm? by Bartimaeus http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2010/03/ape-not-monkey-comic-whats-the-harm/comment-page-1/#comment-468 Bartimaeus Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:59:14 +0000 http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?p=368#comment-468 speak of the devil... http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article7052586.ece speak of the devil…

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article7052586.ece

]]> Comment on Ape, Not Monkey Comic–What’s the Harm? by Bartimaeus http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2010/03/ape-not-monkey-comic-whats-the-harm/comment-page-1/#comment-467 Bartimaeus Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:51:09 +0000 http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?p=368#comment-467 Sale of products from rare species like tigers and rhinos could result in the extinction of those species, but even products obtained from common species can cause cruel treatment that nearly everyone would consider unacceptable even if there was some benefit to the product (I'm thinking specifically of bear bile). Quite a few traditional medicines and products are not just plant products, but also animal products. Unfortunately, when such traditional uses of animals and rare plants are questioned, accusations of prejudice or racism are often thrown around in an attempt to quell the criticism. Sale of products from rare species like tigers and rhinos could result in the extinction of those species, but even products obtained from common species can cause cruel treatment that nearly everyone would consider unacceptable even if there was some benefit to the product (I’m thinking specifically of bear bile).
Quite a few traditional medicines and products are not just plant products, but also animal products. Unfortunately, when such traditional uses of animals and rare plants are questioned, accusations of prejudice or racism are often thrown around in an attempt to quell the criticism.

]]> Comment on Use of herbals associated with lower quality of life in asthma patients by Does the Truth Matter? « The SkeptVet Blog http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2010/02/use-of-herbals-associated-with-lower-quality-of-life-in-asthma-patients/comment-page-1/#comment-463 Does the Truth Matter? « The SkeptVet Blog Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:08:10 +0000 http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?p=341#comment-463 [...] of scientific medicine, people suffer and sometimes die unnecessarily. We see this happen in the asthma patients who have poorer compliance with drug therapy, and poorer quality of life scores, then they [...] [...] of scientific medicine, people suffer and sometimes die unnecessarily. We see this happen in the asthma patients who have poorer compliance with drug therapy, and poorer quality of life scores, then they [...]

]]> Comment on Risks of Herbs and Supplements Finally Getting Some Attention by Horse Health Uk | My Blog http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2010/02/344/comment-page-1/#comment-462 Horse Health Uk | My Blog Sun, 07 Mar 2010 01:14:18 +0000 http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?p=344#comment-462 [...] Risks of Herbs and Supplements Finally Getting Some Attention … [...] [...] Risks of Herbs and Supplements Finally Getting Some Attention … [...]

]]> Comment on Probiotics for Herpesvirus Rhinitis by Does a low carb diet lower the amount of good bacteria in your gut? | Airline Diet http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2010/02/probiotics-for-herpesvirus-rhinitis/comment-page-1/#comment-461 Does a low carb diet lower the amount of good bacteria in your gut? | Airline Diet Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:16:43 +0000 http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?p=356#comment-461 [...] Probiotics for Herpesvirus Rhinitis « The SkeptVet Blog [...] [...] Probiotics for Herpesvirus Rhinitis « The SkeptVet Blog [...]

]]> Comment on Why People Believe Weird Things by Michael Shermer by Bartimaeus http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2010/03/why-people-believe-weird-things-by-michael-shermer/comment-page-1/#comment-460 Bartimaeus Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:29:44 +0000 http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?p=363#comment-460 Definitely a good recommendation. The first chapter is the subject for discussion at our next skeptics in the pub meeting in a week. Definitely a good recommendation. The first chapter is the subject for discussion at our next skeptics in the pub meeting in a week.

]]> Comment on PEMF Device for Pets by Which Pulsed Magnetic Resonance Stimulation should I choose? | ElectroMeds http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2009/10/pemf-device-for-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-459 Which Pulsed Magnetic Resonance Stimulation should I choose? | ElectroMeds Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:45:02 +0000 http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?p=201#comment-459 [...] PEMF Device for Pets « The SkeptVet Blog [...] [...] PEMF Device for Pets « The SkeptVet Blog [...]

]]> Comment on The David and Goliath Myth by Warning Signs of Quackery Ahead « The SkeptVet Blog http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2009/07/the-david-and-goliath-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-457 Warning Signs of Quackery Ahead « The SkeptVet Blog Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:48:40 +0000 http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?p=82#comment-457 [...] and power. This is closely related to both the Galileo Complex and what I have elsewhere called the David and Goliath Myth. As in most every other human endeavor, claims of shadowing conspiracies to silence the truth ought [...] [...] and power. This is closely related to both the Galileo Complex and what I have elsewhere called the David and Goliath Myth. As in most every other human endeavor, claims of shadowing conspiracies to silence the truth ought [...]

]]> Comment on More Hypocritical Nonsense about “Healthcare Choice” by skeptvet http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2010/02/more-hypocritical-nonsense-about-healthcare-choice/comment-page-1/#comment-456 skeptvet Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:47:49 +0000 http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?p=351#comment-456 Certainly, there's no reason, apart from the economics of how our healthcare system is structured, why MDs (and vets) couldn't do a better job dealing with the psychology of the treatment situation. I don't think it necessarily needs to involve bogus or placebo therapies, since it is clar that the placebo effect coming from the therapeutic ritual can improve people's satisfaction with legitimate, effctive therapies as well as with woo. Still, I agree with Bartimaeus that we are obliged to be honest with our clients, and sometimes this means telling them things they don't want to hear and admitting our own limitations. Certainly, there’s no reason, apart from the economics of how our healthcare system is structured, why MDs (and vets) couldn’t do a better job dealing with the psychology of the treatment situation. I don’t think it necessarily needs to involve bogus or placebo therapies, since it is clar that the placebo effect coming from the therapeutic ritual can improve people’s satisfaction with legitimate, effctive therapies as well as with woo.

Still, I agree with Bartimaeus that we are obliged to be honest with our clients, and sometimes this means telling them things they don’t want to hear and admitting our own limitations.

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