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Subacute myelo-optic neuropathy (SMON) is a disease that effects the human nerve system.  It originally appeared in Japan in the 1960's, affecting thousands.  For a decade and a half the Japanese public and its medical doctors were lead to believe it to be an infectious disease by overzealous virus hunters.  Eventually, it was realized that doctors were accidentally causing the disease each time them prescribed the medication clioquinol.  

Subacute myelo-optic neuropathy (SMON) is a disease that affects the human nerve system.  It originally appeared in Japan in the 1960's, affecting thousands.  For a decade and a half the Japanese public and its medical doctors were lead to believe it to be an infectious disease by overzealous virus hunters.  Eventually, it was realized that doctors were accidentally causing the disease each time them prescribed the medication clioquinol.  

It is an example of an iatrogenic disease.  Iatrogenesis is a condition where the source of medical complications is from a doctor or the medical establishment.  Familiar historical examples include blood-letting.  

It is an example of an iatrogenic disease.  Iatrogenesis is a condition where the source of medical complications is from a doctor or the medical establishment.  Familiar historical examples include blood-letting.