Normally Sawbones talks about medical cures, whether real or fake, but today Dr. Sydnee and Justin are diving into the opposite. There was a time when women in bad marriages and needed a way out could turn to Julia Tofana who offered a secret, untraceable poison and, maybe, a chance at freedom.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Sawbones: Aquatofana

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.

Comedy

History

Society & Culture

Medicine

Science & Medicine

Health & Fitness

You may have seen some celebrities or influencers on social media getting something called a Vampire Facial. It's exactly what it sounds like: blood spread on the face like a cream mask. But why would anyone do this unless it's supposed to do something for the skin? Dr. Sydnee and Justin draw out where this trend came from and its questionable benefits.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Sawbones: Vampire Facials

Squishing someone’s heart and blowing air into them to bring them back to life seems so basic, so why weren’t we able to agree on it for the past few hundred years? This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee gives an overview of the evolution of CPR which, despite what movies and TV would have you believe, isn’t quite an infinite cheat code for avoiding death.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Sawbones: CPR

What if someone was declared dead . . . only for their heart to start beating again? This is a phenomenon sometimes called "Lazarus Syndrome" or "auto resuscitation after failed pulmonary resuscitation". Dr. Sydnee and Justin discuss the outline of exactly what needs to occur, some possible reasons this might happen, and a few wild examples.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Sawbones: Lazarus Syndrome

Another day, another fad superfood on social media! Sea moss, or carrageenan or Irish moss, has historically been used for ulcers and sore throats, but does it actually have any proven medical use? Well, no, but it’s probably a good vegan substitute for gelatin.

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Sawbones: Sea Moss

With so much medical research out there on internet, how can you sort through what's based in science and what's just three people in a room? Dr. Sydnee discusses the all the different factors to think about when deciding how much weight to give any article or study. There's a lot! 

Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

Sawbones: Aquatofana

Download our free app to listen on your phone