Sawbones: The Placebo Effect

FromSawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine

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Sawbones: The Placebo Effect

FromSawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine

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Length:

40 minutes

Released:

Aug 13, 2018

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

If the pill you've been taking has been helping you, but it's really made of sugar, would you want to know? Those and other thrilling ethical questions await in our discussion of the placebo effect. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

Released:

Aug 13, 2018

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

Join Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin for a tour of all the dumb, bad, gross, weird and wrong ways we've tried to fix people.

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Sawbones: Amputation: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We take the leg. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers (http://thetaxpayers.net) by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
37 min listen
Sawbones: Weight Loss: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We help you shed the ellbees. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
44 min listen
Sawbones: Bloodletting: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We put a leech on you and Justin loses a finger. Music: "Medicines" by The... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
30 min listen
Sawbones: Birth Control: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We keep the babies at bay. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
39 min listen
Sawbones: Trepanation: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We put a hole in your head. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
41 min listen
Sawbones: Immortality: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: WE LIVE FOREVER. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers (http://thetaxpayers.net) by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
37 min listen
Sawbones: John Kellogg's Odd Prescription: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We force feed you corn flakes. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
35 min listen
Sawbones: Alcoholism: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We help you dry out. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
38 min listen
Sawbones: Self-Surgery: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: Be your own doctor! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
38 min listen
Sawbones: Hysteria: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We follow a wandering womb. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
36 min listen
Sawbones: Benjamin Rush: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We met a hero of medicine who was also a bit of a nut. Music: "Medicines" by... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
34 min listen
Sawbones: Opium: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We give opium to a baby. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
31 min listen
Sawbones: Breastfeeding: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We shotgun some breastmilk. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
39 min listen
Sawbones: The Father of Homeopathy: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We cure everything with chicken. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
35 min listen
Sawbones: Lobotomy: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We take a load off your mind. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
35 min listen
Sawbones: Plague Medicine: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We launch plague-ridden bodies in a catapult. Music: "Medicines" by The... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
32 min listen
Sawbones: Mercury: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We put mercury on your chancre. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
31 min listen
Sawbones: Baldness: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We fix that cueball of yours. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
34 min listen
Sawbones: Urine: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We keep your pee pee in a cup. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
35 min listen
Sawbones: Radiation Therapy: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We're radioactive. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers (http://thetaxpayers.net) by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
37 min listen
Sawbones: Patent Medicines: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We slam back some Kickapoo Joy Juice. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
35 min listen
Sawbones: Reanimation: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: THE DEAD WILL WALK. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
33 min listen
Sawbones: Tobacco: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We take a big drag off of wellness. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
34 min listen
Sawbones: Birth: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We finally get that sucker out. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
42 min listen
Sawbones: Mr. Reich's Sexbox: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: Meet a real sex weirdo. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
37 min listen
Sawbones: Tuberculosis: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We store some lungers in a cave. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
39 min listen
Sawbones: Royal Rife: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We use a death ray to cure cancer. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
36 min listen
Sawbones: Teething: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We perforate your baby. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
34 min listen
Sawbones: Epilepsy: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We squeeze a beaver's scent glands. Music: "Medicines" by The... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
35 min listen
Sawbones: Leprosy: Welcome to Sawbones, where Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin McElroy take you on a whimsical tour of the dumb ways in which we've tried to fix people. This week: We get biblical on leprosy. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers... by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
34 min listen

More Episodes from Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine

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Sawbones: Plexus: In a collaboration of medical fads and brands, Dr. Sydnee and Justin dive into the confusing MLM called Plexus. The company started as a seller of the Breast Chek [sic] Kit but has since branched out into wellness and weight management products that it encourages its Ambassadors to recruit others to sell. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
45 min listen
Sawbones: Vampire Facials: You may have seen some celebrities or influencers on social media getting something called a Vampire Facial. It's exactly what it sounds like: blood spread on the face like a cream mask. But why would anyone do this unless it's supposed to do something for the skin? Dr. Sydnee and Justin draw out where this trend came from and its questionable benefits. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
39 min listen
Sawbones: CPR: Squishing someone’s heart and blowing air into them to bring them back to life seems so basic, so why weren’t we able to agree on it for the past few hundred years? This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee gives an overview of the evolution of CPR which, despite what movies and TV would have you believe, isn’t quite an infinite cheat code for avoiding death. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
42 min listen
Sawbones: Lazarus Syndrome: What if someone was declared dead . . . only for their heart to start beating again? This is a phenomenon sometimes called "Lazarus Syndrome" or "auto resuscitation after failed pulmonary resuscitation". Dr. Sydnee and Justin discuss the outline of exactly what needs to occur, some possible reasons this might happen, and a few wild examples. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
40 min listen
Sawbones: Sea Moss: Another day, another fad superfood on social media! Sea moss, or carrageenan or Irish moss, has historically been used for ulcers and sore throats, but does it actually have any proven medical use? Well, no, but it’s probably a good vegan substitute for gelatin. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
41 min listen
Sawbones: Interpreting Research: With so much medical research out there on internet, how can you sort through what's based in science and what's just three people in a room? Dr. Sydnee discusses the all the different factors to think about when deciding how much weight to give any article or study. There's a lot! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
42 min listen
Sawbones: Gamer Pills: If you want to Get Good at video games quickly, are there any magic pills you can take? Well, there are people trying to sell them to you. Justin and Dr. Sydnee look at some supplements that claim to give gamers better focus and more energy, none of which are doctor-approved. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
51 min listen
Sawbones: Can You Lick the Capsaicin Patch?: Dr. Sydnee and Justin are welcoming in the spring and allergy season with listeners' strangest medical questions! Why do some people get goosebumps when they do alcohol shots? Does baking soda work for bug bites? Do people with facial hair get more sick? And for real, how long can you REALLY actually look at an eclipse before it's unsafe? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
52 min listen
Sawbones: Bad Bugs: There are many ways people get sick, but sometimes diseases are carried to people by insects. Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about the top ten "bad bugs" including mosquitoes, ticks, assassin bugs, and some beetles that are big and bad. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
43 min listen
Sawbones: IVF: Started in the 1930s by scientist Dr. Miriam Menkin, in vitro fertilization is a medical procedure to help with fertility that took until the 1970s to have results in humans. With some drastic misunderstandings going on in the news, Dr. Sydnee and Justin go through the long history of in vitro fertilization and its importance in fertility and contraception today. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
49 min listen
Sawbones: Knock Knock Hi: Justin and Dr. Sydnee are joined by parallel-universe versions of themselves, The Glaucomfleckens! The two doctor-spouse duos talk about Will and Kristen Flanary's journey into podcasting, including serious medical scares, balancing work and kids, and social media. KNOCK KNOCK HI: https://glaucomflecken.com/podcast/ Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
50 min listen
Sawbones: Tongue Ties: A tongue tie is not just a turn of phrase, it's a medical condition in which the frenulum under your tongue is too thick and restricts your lingual movement. For a long time, a procedure to cut it has been done as a solution to some breastfeeding woes. But should it be? Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about the history of this procedure and the medical field's view on it today. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
52 min listen
Sawbones: Aquatofana: Normally Sawbones talks about medical cures, whether real or fake, but today Dr. Sydnee and Justin are diving into the opposite. There was a time when women in bad marriages and needed a way out could turn to Julia Tofana who offered a secret, untraceable poison and, maybe, a chance at freedom. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
38 min listen
Sawbones: Gallstones: Do you even know where your gallbladder is? Maybe it's not so surprising that millions of Americans don't know they have a gastrointestinal disorder caused by gallstones. Dr. Sydnee and Justin go through the history of gallbladder disease, and why the icky medical mnemonic of "forty, fat, and fertile" is misleading and maybe even harmful. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
43 min listen
Sawbones: Dr. Scholl's: In a continuation from last week, Dr. Sydnee and Justin are focusing on a particular Doctor Brand: Dr Scholl's. Who was Dr. Scholl, what was his medical training, and why was he so interested in fixing feet? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
40 min listen
Sawbones: Doctor Brands: A lot of brands name themselves "doctor" – but how many of them are named after actual medical doctors? Justin takes the wheel with a little quiz for Dr. Sydnee and the listeners on Dr. Pepper, Doc Martens, Dr. Teal, and more. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
42 min listen
Sawbones: Home Alone 2: What would really happen to someone stuck in all of Kevin McCallister's traps? Dr. Sydnee and Justin return to discuss the even more outrageous and even more dangerous injuries the Sticky Bandits sustain in Home Alone 2. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
50 min listen
Sawbones: Why Don’t Americans get De-Wormed?: Shrug off that winter chill with a warm bowl of listener-submitted medical questions. Questions like: Am I giving away my immunity with a blood donation? Can antibiotics make colds worse? Can you cough while sleeping? Are we really new people every seven years? And is there any real health benefit to shaving my armpits? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
42 min listen
Sawbones: Pepto Bismol: Many of us know all the catchy jingle that lists all the things that Pepto Bismol is supposed to be good for. However, that ubiquitous pink medicine is maybe not so ubiquitous everywhere. How did this chalky liquid become so necessary for curing Americans' stomach woes – and does it actually do anything? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
41 min listen
Sawbones Classic: Santa is Sick: To get you through that holiday slog, we're re-releasing our classic holiday episode all about the ailments Santa could possibly have. It's Candlenights 2016, and that can only mean one thing: Dr. Sydnee is trying to ruin Christmas again. Join her as she explains to poor, pitiful Justin all of Santa's terrible health risks, recorded live in Huntington, WV. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
31 min listen
Sawbones: Dr. Willard Bliss: It was probably the destiny of Dr. Doctor Willard Bliss to become a medical professional, although his career was a real rollercoaster of beliefs and practices. But he obtained the most notoriety for bringing his questionable treatments to one of the most important people in the United States – President James Garfield. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
39 min listen
Sawbones: The Ejaculation Panic: In the 1800s, there was a growing concern about spermatorrhea, a condition that involves involuntary and excessive semen leakage or discharge. Some doctors (and people who claimed to be doctors) were quick to come up with some truly terrifying solutions . . . except that it was largely a panic and not really happening at all. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
34 min listen
Sawbones: The Intimate Side of a Woman’s Life: What was some of the outdated (though subtly subversive) medical advice given to cisgendered women of the 1930s? Dr. Sydnee and Justin aim to answer that with The Intimate Side of a Woman’s Life by Leona W. Chalmers, with all sorts of tips about douching, period cramps, and sex energy. Thanks to Olivia for sending in the book! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
38 min listen
Sawbones: The Tea That Doesn’t Cure Cancer (and Might Make It Worse): Often cure-alls cure nothing (and do nothing), but other times they may actually hurt. Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about the Essiac tea formula, which claims to cure cancer while preventing people from seeking actual helpful medical care. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
41 min listen
Sawbones: Pineapple: There is a claim on the internet that when you eat pineapple, it eats you back. This is actually true! Or more accurately, pineapple contains an enzyme that breaks down tissue. Dr. Sydnee and Justin dive into exactly how this works, as well as the fundamental question: what is an enzyme? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
40 min listen
Sawbones: Why Do I Always Burp Next to My Wife?: It’s time for us to answer some more listener medical questions, if “us” means “Dr. Sydnee McElroy.” Questions like: can you cook dirt enough to make it clean? What is Gaze-Evoked Tinnitus? Why do we rub our eyes when we’re tired? And can I taste . . .with my eyes? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
44 min listen
Sawbones: Marvel Anatomy: Endgame: Justin returns to quiz Dr. Sydnee for the third and final analysis of the official Marvel Anatomy book. All will be revealed! Where does Colossus get his steel skin? How does Mystique turn into other people? And why are the Inhumans so disappointing? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
43 min listen
Sawbones: Carpet Python Parasite: Sometimes respiratory and GI distress can be treated with antibiotics; other times it turns out there’s a live carpet python parasite in the brain. Dr. Sydnee discuss this rare case from a few years ago, the history of discovering parasitic roundworms in humans, and best practices in avoiding them. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
40 min listen
Sawbones: Alpha-Gal Syndrome: That thing where you get bitten by ticks and can't eat meat, is that real? Yes, it's real, and it's called Alpha-Gal Syndrome. Dr. Sydnee dives into the fascinating story of how we found out that sometimes, if you get bitten by a certain tick, you become allergic to red meat. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
38 min listen
Sawbones: Blood Glucose Tolerance Test: If you’ve ever been pregnant or pregnant-adjacent, you may have heard of the blood glucose test to check for gestational diabetes. Many pregnant people find the process unpleasant and gross — which has prompted some pseudo-experts to speak out against it. Dr. Sydnee discusses the new discourse surrounding the test, how it works, and why, if your doctor recommends it, you should honestly just get it done. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/ by Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
37 min listen

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Sawbones: The Placebo Effect

Sawbones: The Placebo Effect

Description

Titles in the series (100)

More Episodes from Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine