Fashion victims.

A documentary series examining the problems and inconsistencies of modern medicine in historical and worldwide perspective. Reviews some of the pointless or damaging treatments that were fashionable over the last 300 years. Dr. Catherine Crawford (WIHM and University of Essex), reviews the ways in which disease has been perceived; the history of methods of diagnosis is charted and the programme shows how countries differ in their opinions as to what is and what is not a condition requiring medical treatment. Shows how tradition, guesswork and faith maintain their places alongside 20th century technological advances in medicine. Presenter and narrator: Richard Smith (Editor, British Medical Journal) Contributors: Nick Black (Health Services Research Unit); Richard Peto (Clinical Trials Services Unit); Michael Baum (Cancer Surgeon, Royal Marsden Hospital); Klim McPherson (London School of Hygiene); Fleur Navey (General Practitioner); Catherine Crawford (University of Essex and Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine); Allan Chapman (Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies); Rob Henderson (British Angioplasty Trial); Nick Mays (St Thomas' Hospital Medical School).