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Druin Burch

Taking the Medicine Hardcover – International Edition, February 9, 2009

by Druin Burch (Author)

44 ratings

4.2 on Goodreads

106 ratings

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Burch’s controversial argument is that for most of human history medicine has been a catastrophe, and emphasizes how little and how much has changed, and how we need to make educated choices about the risks we swallow. Only then can the drugs of today and tomorrow save our lives.

Print length

336 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Chatto & Windus
Publication date

February 9, 2009
Dimensions

6.31 x 1.06 x 9.5 inches
ISBN-10

0701182784
ISBN-13

978-0701182786
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Druin Burch, 34, has worked in hospitals across south-east England. He teaches human evolution, physiology and ecology at Oxford and writes for medical journals, the Times Literary Supplement and the Guardian. This is his first book.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chatto & Windus (February 9, 2009)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0701182784
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0701182786
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.28 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.31 x 1.06 x 9.5 inches

Customer Reviews:
44 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

44 global ratings

5 star		77%
4 star		14%
3 star		9%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

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Top reviews from the United States

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George R. Cybulski, M.D.

We must all ‘take the medicine’!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 27, 2021

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‘Taking the Medicine’ by Druin Burch is an exceptional work that lays out the case for applying statistical rigor to evaluation of treatments for the maladies of humans. I especially enjoyed Dr Burch’s humanist discussion of the backgrounds of the major figures of this process and their accomplishments. A great read!!

Helpful

Carol S.

Fascinating history of medical science's blind-spots.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 3, 2014

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This would be a depressing recital of human stubbornness and hubris, but for the dry sense of humor the author lends to his premise. It certainly has some painful moments, but Druin Burch handles them with sensitivity and a sincere attempt to educate the reader by shedding some light into medicine's dark closet. It is a thorough examination of how the medical profession failed, miserably, for far longer than most of us image; and how it is still prone to failure. The author also includes inspiring accounts of how reason, against heavy opposition, finally prevailed over received wisdom. It's a lesson pertinent to the medical profession, and to the layman as well, but it is also an acid commentary on the intellectual short-comings of the smartest beings on the planet. I could hardly put it down.

7 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

You need this (and so does your doctor)

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 21, 2013

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This is entertaining medical history that illustrates how slow and fitful the use of scientific method has been in medicine. Not only have doctors been wrong more than right about whether treatments help, we have resisted or failed to understand the kind of information that would help us know better. Burch's message, leavened with humor and fascinating digressions, is that we can not judge the effects of most treatments (some people get better, some don't) without prospective, controlled studies of sufficient size. Authority and experience are hopelessly biased and unable to correct errors. For that we need the numbers, but no statistical knowledge is needed to enjoy this delightful book.

3 people found this helpful

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J. C.

Shocking true story of how doctors think

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 5, 2014

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Here is a book that changed my world view. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to know the reasoning behind the medical system. Since ancient history, medical caregivers still think the same way! They still use the same reasoning. The author weaves interesting anecdotes with surprise twists throughout this exciting and stunning book. I loved it. I don't want to give too much away!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 26, 2013

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Very insightful and well written. The message was powerful. Burch points out a lot of problems that the medical field has in the past, however, his solutions offered weren't of much focus as I hoped they would have been.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 27, 2011

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This book makes you appreciate the healthcare we have today. It makes you wonder why some people think the good old days were better and why some want to go back to what is not evidenced based.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 3, 2014

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Strongly recommended for clear style, exposition based on interesting narratives, and good account of the origins of evidence-based medicine.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 2, 2016

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As expected

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Top reviews from other countries

Paul Gibson

A real eye opener.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 6, 2020

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This book is full of shocking revelations, the history of medicine is a fascinating topic, yet Druin has added significant insight into the practices of what's rightfully regarded as an honourable profession, this isn't just a dig the dirt account, but well balanced and thoughtfully written. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the medicine.

2 people found this helpful

Janjo

Excellent

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 2, 2013

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I embarked upon this book, not as a medical person, but rather as a general reader with an interest in social history. I found it absolutely fascinating and it held my interest right through to the last page.
Drink Burch writes well and seriously, but he is never boring in this logical discourse. With the evidence he presents of medical incompetence it is amazing that so many of us have survived to tell the tale. It is also quite shocking how recently proper clinical trials have been accepted as the proper way forward.
An excellent and eye opening read.

One person found this helpful

NP

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 4, 2014

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arrived as described and in quick time.

Amazon Customer

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 15, 2016

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