Freakonomics Radio

Bad Medicine, Part 1: The Story of 98.6 (Rebroadcast)

Aug 17, 2017
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ANECDOTE

Faulty Origin of 98.6°F

  • Philip Macoviak studied the original Wunderlich thermometer and found it faulty and more complex than modern devices.
  • Wunderlich measured armpit temperatures which differ significantly from today's oral or rectal methods.
INSIGHT

Body Temperature Is Highly Variable

  • Normal body temperature varies widely among individuals and fluctuates throughout the day.
  • An elevated temperature isn’t always a sign of illness, as exercise and ovulation naturally increase it.
INSIGHT

Medicine's Trial and Error History

  • Historically, medicine evolved through trial and error without strong empirical evidence.
  • Past practices like lobotomies and bloodletting were once accepted despite lack of solid proof.
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