Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine

Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine

Author: Justin McElroy, Dr. Sydnee McElroy Language: English Episodes: 100
Ever wondered why doctors used to prescribe cigarettes or thought drilling a hole in your skull could cure a headache? That’s the strange territory explored each week on Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine. Hosted by Dr. Sydnee McElroy, a family physician, and her husband Justin McElroy, this is a deeply funny and often cringe-inducing journey through the bizarre history of medical treatments. Together, they dig into the archives to uncover the dumb, bad, gross, weird, and downright dangerous ideas that have masqueraded as healing science. You’ll hear about everything from radioactive tonics and mercury-laden cure-alls to the peculiar origins of modern fitness fads, all delivered with the easy rapport of a couple who finds humor in humanity’s well-intentioned blunders. This podcast isn’t just a list of historical errors; it’s a conversation that connects past medical misadventures to our current understanding of health, making you appreciate the scientific method while you laugh. The blend of Sydnee’s medical expertise and Justin’s incredulous curiosity creates a uniquely entertaining and informative listen, perfect for anyone fascinated by the odd intersections of comedy, history, and human wellness. Tune in for stories that are as educational as they are hilarious, reminding us that the path to good health has been anything but straight.
Episodes
Sawbones: Measles 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:28
It's been a decade since Sawbones last talked about measles, and we don't often check in with an update unless . . . well, something comes up in the news. Dr. Sydnee talks about how the vaccine for measles was developed,…
Sawbones: Would a Healing Vape be More Efficient Than a Healing Potion? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:44
The snow’s piling up outside so we’re cozying down with another batch of listener medical questions! Can I take all my antibiotics at once? If my twin has an allergy, do I have it too? Are prenatal vitamins good for peop…
Sawbones: Carpal Tunnel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:47
Carpal tunnel sydrome, or an irritation of the median nerve, is often thought of as a more "modern" ailment, exacerbated by 8-hour days at a computer and video game hobbies. Dr. Sydnee talks about the history of the firs…
Sawbones: Sauna [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:58
Even though it's associated with Nordic countries, the Sauna has been around in many different cultures for as long as people have been trying to get warm in a hot box. But how about health benefits? Dr. Sydnee talks abo…
Sawbones: Tear Gas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:22
Right now in the news you may be hearing about the use of tear gas against protesters. But what exactly IS tear gas and where did it come from? Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about the origins of this chemical agent, what it…
Sawbones: Mushroom Coffee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:52
Another wellness trend that feels newer than it actually is, people have been looking for a coffee substitute since coffee was discovered (see: episode about coffee). Dr. Sydnee talks about the additional claims made aro…
Sawbones: Colonoscopy Preparation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:28
Back from his first colonoscopy, Justin outlines the extremely detailed steps he took in order to prepare for the screening: the before, the after, and whether it's easier to take four liters of laxative or navigate the…
Sawbones: Colonoscopy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:03
In honor of Justin's first colonoscopy, Dr. Sydnee goes through the history of looking inside the colon. From Pompei to the Light Conductor to the more flexible tubes today, humans have always been curious to see just wh…
Sawbones Classic: Nose Blowing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:22
This cold and flu season, we're bringing you a classic episode on clearing your nasal passage correctly. Blowing your nose is maybe the only small glint of satisfaction had while having a cold or sinus infection. But is…
Sawbones: Hepatitis B [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:54
A trip to get an updated tetanus shot led to the realization that Justin never got a Hepatitis B vaccine. So Dr. Sydnee explains what exactly is Hep B, the recent headlines surrounding the vaccine, why do people usually…