Placebos in 19th century medicine: a quantitative analysis of the BMJ.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To provide the first quantitative data on the use of the term "placebo" in the 19th century.

Design

Computer search of BMJ's archival database from January 1840 (the first issue) through December 1899 for uses of the words "placebo(s)." Grounded theory was used to categorise the implications of uses of the term.

Results

71 citations contained the term "placebo(s)." Of these, 22 (31%) used the term to mean "no effect" or as a general pejorative term, 18 (25%) portrayed placebo treatment as permitting the unfolding of the natural history (the normal waxing and waning of illness), 14 (20%) described placebo as important to satisfy patients, 7 (10%) described it as fulfilling a physician's performance role, 3 (4%) described its use to buy time, 3 (4%) described

SUBMITTER: Raicek JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3525309 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature