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Some Important Differences

Jack W. Love, D Phil, MD

JAMA. 1975;232(1):37-38.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

DR. SPODICK has raised a provocative issue. He argues that a double standard exists in the practice of medicine. This double standard provides for rigid control of the safety and efficacy of drug therapy, he writes, but permits unsafe and ineffective surgical procedures to be introduced and practiced. He suggests that much harm results from this purported lack of control over surgical procedures. It is a serious charge that would be of great concern, if it could be supported. However, Spodick uses specious and flawed reasoning to argue his case.

A major defect in Spodick's reasoning is his assumption that a meaningful and easy comparison can be drawn between drugs and operations. It is a perfect example of comparing apples with oranges. If his premise were true, he would have a reasonable case to make. Clearly, the meaningful comparison is not between penicillin and gastrectomy as therapeutic entities, but rather . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
Editorial Board, JAMA

From the Department of Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to 230 W Pueblo St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.

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