Sign in
Back to card view

Career

The doctor who swallowed the evidence

In 1914, common medical opinion blamed the deadly disease pellagra on infection. Joseph Goldberger tested the idea, on prisoners and on himself. Research and a bestselling book show why health claims need testing. This is history and research, not medical advice.

Major #24: Health SciencesThe story: Joseph Goldberger (1910s). The book: Bad Science by Ben Goldacre.

About 8 minutes

Friendly College is for adults. We only ask you to confirm it once on this device. We don’t need your name or date of birth.

In this lesson

  • A killer with a strange pattern
  • Causing it, then swallowing it
  • What the research says
  • The book: Bad Science
  • What the evidence says about the book
  • Where this comes from
  • Try it today
  • 4 questions to check yourself

Delete the learning record on this device?

This removes your progress, notes, saved lessons, chosen path and adult confirmation from this browser. You can export a copy first.