

Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
Justin McElroy, Dr. Sydnee McElroy
Join Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy for a tour of all the dumb, bad, gross, weird and wrong ways we've tried to fix people.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 1, 2020 • 47min
Sawbones: Medical Racism and Protest Safety
This week on Sawbones, we examine how Black Americans have received substandard care and fewer opportunities within the American medical system. Also, some guidance on how to protest as safely as possible in the face of COVID-19.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

May 22, 2020 • 45min
Sawbones: The Cholera Riots
Fear that the government and doctors were allied in a grand conspiracy to oppress the populace was at a fever pitch. The people took to the streets to prove that they would not abide by quarantine, that they would defy the powers that be and go on about their daily lives.The year is 1831. The disease is cholera.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

May 17, 2020 • 53min
Sawbones: COVID-19 Q&A
It should come as no surprise that the Sawbones inbox has been chockablock with questions about the ongoing ... unpleasantness. This week, we're trying to group your COVID-19 queries in an orderly fashion and answer them to the best of our ability. Well, the best of Sydnee's ability. Justin just talks about dandruff shampoo. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

May 8, 2020 • 48min
Sawbones: Cabin Fever
Did you know that cabin fever isn't just the cooped-up funk we all find ourselves in? It's a real actual disease called typhus -- or at least, it used to be. It's confusing, we know, but this week we're gonna walk you through all the extremely gross details.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

May 1, 2020 • 52min
Sawbones: COVID Lies, Darned Lies and Statistics
Two doctors made headlines this week by trying to construct the narrative that the COVID-19 pandemic has been overblown by the hospital system in pursuit of more profits. This week, Dr. Sydnee and Justin explain why their numbers don't add up, and how you can combat this narrative if it, depressingly, sticks around.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Apr 24, 2020 • 49min
Sawbones: The Most Dangerous Parade
This week on Sawbones, we discuss Philadelphia's disastrous Fourth Liberty Loan Parade that helped reignite the 1918 influenza epidemic in the region. We'll also examine some other unnerving similarities between that century-old disaster and our current situation.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Apr 17, 2020 • 53min
Sawbones: Dr. Anthony Fauci and Coronavirus Myths
This week on Sawbones, we dive into the backstory of Dr. Anthony Fauci, a beacon of hope and reason for so many in these troubling days. In the back half of the show, we also talk about a bunch of coronavirus bulls**t that you knew was bulls**t but we're gonna tell you anyway.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers1

Apr 12, 2020 • 41min
Sawbones: Hydroxychloroquine
There are some pushing hydroxychloroquine as a miracle treatment for COVID-19 in a way that should seem familiar (and a little scary) to long-time Sawbones listeners. This week, we'll talk about the long history of this medicine and why promoting it as a COVID-19 cure is so dangerous to those who already depend on it for other (actual scientifically-proven) uses.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Apr 3, 2020 • 42min
Sawbones: Ignaz Semmelweis
This week on Sawbones, it's the fascinating, inspiring and infuriating story of Ignaz Semmelweis. You'll learn how he discovered why it was so important for doctor's to wash their hands and why it took so long for doctors to believe him.Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Mar 30, 2020 • 46min
Sawbones: Masks
The COVID-19 outbreak has recently pushed masks and other protective equipment into the forefront of the global conversation, especially as a shortage threatens medical professionals on the front lines. This week on Sawbones, how masks changed the world of medicine, and what happens when there aren't enough to go around. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers