

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

Sep 21, 2018 • 43min
Sawbones: Medical Illustration
We take for granted that we know what bodies look like on the inside, but this week on Sawbones we honor those brave pioneers that had to draw them for the very first time. Also Dr. Sydnee and Justin explore the scandal behind the most famous book of medical illustrations. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Sep 14, 2018 • 38min
Sawbones: Memorialization and Medical Ethics
This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin discuss what we owe to people who do terrible things in the name of medical progress. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Sep 7, 2018 • 31min
Sawbones: Ether
People talk a lot of mess about drugs being dangerous, and they're right. But did you know that ether frolics, a delightfully named drug party, inspired a powerful anasthetic? It's true! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Sep 1, 2018 • 45min
Sawbones: Asbestos
Asbestos has gotten a lot of bad publicity over the last century, but isn't that just because it's so incredibly dangerous for humans to inhale? Isn't that just another case of bias? As the current American administration seems to be clearing a path for asbestos to return to the spotlight, Justin and Dr. Sydnee looked into this misunderstood extremely hazardous substance. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Aug 24, 2018 • 37min
Sawbones: Perkins' Tractors
Justin and Dr. Sydnee explore the history of Perkins' Tractors which are both 1. not what they sound like and 2. not what they claim to be. Mysterious! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Aug 13, 2018 • 40min
Sawbones: The Placebo Effect
If the pill you've been taking has been helping you, but it's really made of sugar, would you want to know? Those and other thrilling ethical questions await in our discussion of the placebo effect. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Aug 4, 2018 • 44min
Sawbones: CBD Oil
CBD oil is collecting a lot of adherents and getting a lot of buzz due to, in part, it being derived from cannabis. It won't get you high, but is CBD oil the panacea many are promoting it as? Let's discuss on this week's Sawbones! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Jul 22, 2018 • 41min
Sawbones: Applied Kinesiology
This week on Sawbones, we explore a completely groundless testing method based on the same science as Ouija boards that's used by over a third of American chiropractors. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Jul 13, 2018 • 39min
Sawbones: The Bends
In honor of the rescue of 12 boys and their coach from a cave in Thailand, we're discussing the history of dive medicine research that helped make it possible. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Jul 6, 2018 • 37min
Sawbones: Ozone
Ozone provides a helpful layer of sunscreen for Earth, but it's toxic to humans. It will come as no surprise to regular Sawbones listeners that we've spent the past couple hundred years trying to jam it in every possible orifice. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers