Difference between revisions of "Subacute myelo-optic neuropathy"
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| − | Subacute myelo-optic neuropathy (SMON) is a disease that affects the human [[nervous 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 caused by overzealous virus hunters. Eventually, it was realized that doctors were accidentally causing the disease each time | + | Subacute myelo-optic neuropathy (SMON) is a disease that affects the human [[nervous 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 caused by overzealous virus hunters. Eventually, it was realized that doctors were accidentally causing the disease each time one of 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. | ||
Revision as of 16:09, January 12, 2009
Subacute myelo-optic neuropathy (SMON) is a disease that affects the human nervous 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 caused by overzealous virus hunters. Eventually, it was realized that doctors were accidentally causing the disease each time one of 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.
Peter Duesberg has pointed to SMON as the kind of widespread error that the medical community can make when diagnosing diseases.