The Health Robbers:
A Close Look at Quackery in America (Contents)

Edited by Stephen Barrett, M.D., and Willliam T. Jarvis, Ph.D.

Introduction, v

Foreword by Ann Landers, vii

1. How Quackery Sells

(Clinical tricks of the supersalesman)

William T. Jarvis, Ph.D., and Stephen Barrett, M.D., 1

 

2. Vitamin Pushers and Food Quacks

(How to spot a nutrition hustler)

Victor Herbert, M.D., J.D., F.A.C.P., 23

3. The Make-Believe Doctors

(Medical imposters)

Robert C. Derbyshire, M.D., 45

 

4. Occult Health Practices

(Why the proof of the pudding is not in the eating)

Ray Hyman, Ph.D., 55

 

5. The Food-Fear Epidemic

(Beware of chemical con men)

Elizabeth M. Whelan, Sc.D., M.P.H., 67

 

6. "Alternative" Cancer Treatment

(Doublespeak that can kill you)

Stephen Barrett, M.D., 83

 

7. The Misery Merchants

(Exploiting arthritis sufferers)

Diana Benzaia and Stephen Barrett, M.D., 101

 

8. Weight Control: Facts, Fads, and Frauds

(Beware of fat profiteers)

Stephen Barrett, M.D., 113

 

9. Avoiding the "Marginal" Medic

(How to spot a fuzzy-thinking physician)

Philip R. Alper, M.D., 125

 

10. Unproven "Allergies": An Epidemic of Nonsense

("Environmental illness" and the "yeast connection")

Stephen Barrett, M.D., 137

 

11. Immunoquackery

(Riding the crest of AIDS

Stephen Barrett, M.D., 155

 

12. The Spine Salesmen

(Don't let chiropractors fool you)

Stephen Barrett, M.D., 161

 

13. Homeopathy: Is It Medicine?

(Much ado about nothing)

Stephen Barrett, M.D., 191

 

14. Genuine Fakes

(The "organic" ripoff)

Thomas H. Jukes, Ph.D., and Stephen Barrett, M.D. 203

 

15. The Overselling of Herbs

(More hype than help)

Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D., Sc.D., 213

 

16. Vitalistic Gurus and Their Legacies

(Natural health?)

Jack Raso, M.S., R.D. 225

 

17. The Multilevel Mirage

(Person-to-person hype)

Stephen Barrett, M.D., 253

 

18. Acupuncture: Nonsense with Needles

(Don't get stuck)

Arthur Taub, M.D., Ph.D., 259

 

19. Nutrition for Athletes: Myths vs. Facts

(An insider's views on "ergogenic aids")

Ellington Darden, Ph.D., 269

 

20. Quackery by Mail

(The "guarantees" are as bogus as the product)

Stephen Barrett, M.D., 281

 

21. The Tooth Robbers

(The unfounded attack on fluoridation)

Bob Sprague and Mary Bernhardt, 295

 

22. Dubious Dental Care

(Delusions and poor science in the dental office)

John E. Dodes, D.D.S., and William T. Jarvis, Ph.D. 307

 

23. The Gadgeteers

(Exploiting science)

Wallace F. Janssen, 321

 

24. The Miracle Merchants

(Faith healing doesn't work)

Rev. Lester Kinsolving and Stephen Barrett, M.D., 337

 

25. The Eye Exorcisors

(Don't throw away your glasses)

Russell S. Worrall, O.D., and Jacob Nevyas, Ph.D., Sc.D., 347

 

26. The "Holistic" Hodgepodge

(Look beyond the slogans)

Wallace I. Sampson, M.D., 355

 

27. Prominent Promoters

(Have they confused you?)

Stephen Barrett, M.D., 367

 

28. "Health Freedom" Crusaders

(Fighting to make quackery legal)

Stephen Barrett, M.D., 397

 

29. The Mental Health Maze

(How to find a therapist)

Stephen Barrett, M.D., 421

 

30. The Mind Robbers

(Destructive cults)

John G. Clark, Jr., M.D., 443

 

31. Quackery and the Media

(Should we believe what we see and hear?)

Stephen Barrett, M.D., 447

 

32. Why Quackery Persists

(Quacks never sleep)

James Harvey Young, Ph.D., 457

 

33. The Truth-Seekers

(Voices of scientific truth)

Stephen Barrett, M.D., 465

 

34. Strengths and Weaknesses of Our Laws

(How well does government protect you?)

Stephen Barrett, M.D., 477

 

35. Getting the Most from Your Doctor

(Communication tips)

Philip R. Alper, M.D., 485

 

36. Fighting Quackery: Tips for Activists

(Your effort may even save a life!)

Stephen Barrett, M.D., 495

 

Recommended Reading, 501

Index, 507

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