Episodes

December 20, 2022

Sawbones: Can I Become the Alpha Period-Haver?

It's the last episode of the year, so Dr. Sydnee and Justin set out to answer your important medical questions! How do oral probiotics prevent a yeast infection (or do they)? What's that medicine and Sprite combo you drink before a CT scan? Should I talk to the students who practice appointments on...

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December 13, 2022

Sawbones: RSV

Parts of the US are currently in the midst of a triple-demic, a very scary phrase, so Dr. Sydnee is here to break down the third illness: Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV. It’s a virus that’s common among everyone, but can be dangerous for some people. Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about what it is...

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December 6, 2022

Sawbones: Farts

This week, Justin takes the wheel and finally gets to talk about farts, only tangentially in a medical way. Get ready for some fart etymology, some notable farts in medieval history, fun fart facts, and a little bit about preventing and treating excessive gas and flatulence. Music: "Medicines" by ...

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November 29, 2022

Sawbones: Pirate Medicine Chapter Three

In the third and final chapter of the pirate medicine series, Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about the dreaded Flux. What is the Flux? Well, it involves something coming out of your body in excess . . . and it's not urine. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

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November 22, 2022

Sawbones: Pirate Medicine Chapter Two

In the second entry in the pirate medicine series, Dr. Sydnee talks about the practice of treating burns aboard a ship. It seems like burns on a ship would not be a problem, but ships are made of wood, and fire + wood = bad. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandcamp.com/

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November 16, 2022

Sawbones: Pirate Medicine Chapter One

To celebrate the first new live Sawbones shows since 2020, we're releasing the first in a three-part series exploring the vast array that pirates—in an extremely resource and knowledge-limited setting—tried to keep one another alive through the years. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://ta...

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November 8, 2022

Sawbones: Does Shrimp Make My Husband Drunk?

Have you ever wanted to ask a real doctor questions that aren’t really advice? Dr. Sydnee answers listener questions about infecting yourself with a virus, refusing opioids, and difficult veins. And don’t worry - there are some poop questions as well. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://ta...

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October 25, 2022

Sawbones: Anthroposophy

Why not just connect the spiritual and scientific world? That's basically what anthroposophy asks, teaching a philosophical approach to medicine. Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about the history of this movement and also try to explain what exactly it is. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://ta...

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October 18, 2022

Sawbones: Iridology

The eyes are the windows to the soul, but could they also be the windows to all the body's ailments? Dr. Sydnee and Justin discuss iridology, the idea that changes in the eye color could possibly indicate different diseases and conditions – and perhaps even personality traits – although there is ve...

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October 11, 2022

Sawbones: Dr. Oz

There are many people who have been recurring characters on Sawbones. Pliny the Elder. Charlie. But few so notorious as Dr. Mehmet Oz, now running for the U.S. Senate. This isn’t a commentary on his political fitness; just an examination of his history of questionable medical advice and pop-science...

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October 4, 2022

Sawbones: Schizophrenia

Is schizophrenia the same as having a dissociative identity? Or anti-social disorder? Or being a murderer? No. No. All of these are wrong. Dr. Sydnee breaks down one of the most misunderstood and maligned mental illnesses and how our understanding of symptoms and treatment have changed over the yea...

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September 27, 2022

Sawbones: How Justin McElroy Became a Trusted Source for COVID News in Canada

Podcast history is being made here: There are TWO Justin McElroys in this week's episode. We are joined by Justin McElroy, CBC reporter of municipal affairs in Vancouver and British Columbia, as he discusses his role reporting COVID data over the last two and a half years, and the challenges of pre...

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September 20, 2022

Sawbones: E. coli

From our earliest days of life E. coli is among us and within us, living in harmony with the rest of our colonic flora. But this week we're here to discuss the multi-dimensional E. coli's ability to really mess all that up through contaminated romaine and undercooked cheeseburgers. Music: "Medicin...

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September 13, 2022

Sawbones News: Vaccine Updates

Extra, extra! It’s the first edition of the Sawbones Medical News, updates on what’s going on in the world of medicine. We’ve got the newest reports on Monkey Pox vaccines and the hot new COVID-19 booster. Plus, an analysis of Dr. Oz’s interesting medical care advice. Music: "Medicines" by The Tax...

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August 30, 2022

The Sleeping Sickness

Starting In 1915, cases of something known as encephalitis lethargica started popping up around the globe. Symptoms were varied, but included some sort of lethargy or tiredness, with some more extreme manifestations. But exactly how many people were infected and what exactly caused this remains one...

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August 23, 2022

Rufus Weaver and Harriet Cole

In the 1880s, anatomist Rufus Weaver worked meticulously to extract and mount the human nervous system for study. The nervous system came from a woman named Harriet Cole; but how was it actually obtained? Dr. Sydnee dissects this medical mystery, which is a telling story of who in history is celebr...

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August 16, 2022

Band-Aids

In this episode of Justin McElroy’s Medical Brand Hall of Fame, Justin and Dr. Sydnee are stuck on Band-Aid brand adhesive bandages. Justin goes through the decades of campaigns and jingles, the evolution of bandage technology, and Dr. Dan the Bandage Man to explain how this sticky plaster became a...

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August 9, 2022

Metamucil

Hank Green in 2018 joked that everyone should take Metamucil, the fiber-rich powder that is supposed to help with your BMs. But is he right? Well . . . “should” is a strong word. Dr. Sydnee goes through the history of the supplement itself, made of psyllium, as well as our understanding of fiber an...

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July 26, 2022

The Brompton Cocktail

In the late 1800s, Dr. Herbert Snow observed cancer patients and considered that a mix of different medications might do the trick for slowing down its progress. The Brompton Cocktail, as it was called, was mostly cocaine and morphine. Though used for a long time for pain relief, the cocktail prove...

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July 19, 2022

Hand Sanitizer

Around the early 1900s, it was discovered that a high percent of ethanol was useful for killing germs, and worked great if there was no available soap and water. Dr. Sydnee and Justin go through viral internet stories and odd patents to explain how we eventually landed on the hand sanitizer we know...

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July 5, 2022

Answering Your Questions About the Roe Verdict

The overturning of Roe has created an astounding number of questions and problems, and the fact is that we don’t know for sure how the landscape will change in the next few years or even months. This week, Dr. Sydnee uses the best available information to answer listener questions about what the Ro...

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June 28, 2022

Radium Girls

Back in 1917 radium was all the rage. The fact that it glowed made people believe it was healthy and important, so they included it in things like toothpaste, cosmetics, even water. The Radium Girls, factory workers who used radium-laced paints to detail watch faces, were among the first to indicat...

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June 22, 2022

Vomiting

What’s the deal with vomiting? Justin and Dr. Sydnee meditate on the various ways we get nauseated, from smelling something gross to getting hit in a sensitive spot, and what we’ve done over the years to help alleviate it. Although sometimes kids just vomit for no reason and we can’t really help yo...

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June 7, 2022

Is it Safe to Eat This Plutonium?

We’re back with Sawbones Medical Questions! Justin acts as stand-in for the listeners while Dr. Sydnee answers questions about tall people getting COVID, eye goop, nose goop, labor organizing in the medical field, and corn in poop. This one’s for the Sawboners. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayer ...

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May 31, 2022

Monkeypox

You may be worried we’re headed into another global health crisis in the form of Monkeypox. But it’s not new, and we already know quite a bit about it. Dr. Sydnee explains what it is, how to treat it, and the recommendations at the moment from the CDC, all compared to COVID (which is now unfortunat...

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May 24, 2022

History of Abortion

With the recent news about Roe v. Wade, it’s important to talk about the history of abortion in the United States. The right to autonomy over one’s own body in regard to medical care is one of the basic tenets of medical ethics; but no matter what anyone personally believes, banning abortion doesn’...

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May 17, 2022

Infant Formula

The United States is currently in a dire formula shortage, and people are taking to the internet to propose some less than ideal solutions. Dr. Sydnee talks about the origins of how formula came about, how the shortage came about, and why people on the internet are wrong. And just in case you miss ...

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May 3, 2022

Harry Beno: The Poison King

Harry Beno (not BEAN-o) one day walked into a barn hungry for biscuits and emerged the poison king. Believing himself immune to strychnine, Beno took to eating poison for an audience. From there his act escalated to the next logical step, hammering nails into his head and burying himself alive. Jus...

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April 26, 2022

Testicle Tanning

Some people believe that men in the world are getting softer and masculinity is under attack. But not to worry, there’s a solution: tanning your . . . nethers. Although the idea of exposing your soft bits to the sun may be embarrassing, there's also, as Dr. Sydnee explains, zero evidence that it's ...

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April 19, 2022

Cereal

Remember when the Cheerios box said it would lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease? Well, it doesn’t say that anymore because cereal isn’t medicine. But this is just one example in a long history of breakfast cereals claiming to be beneficial to health. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ht...

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April 12, 2022

The World of Warcraft Plague and COVID

A very long time ago, in 2019, we talked about the Corrupted Blood plague, a pandemic within the World of Warcraft. How it affected the digital world was used as a model for how people might behave during an actual real-life pandemic. Well . . . we’ve got that real-life pandemic now. So how did it ...

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April 5, 2022

Bach's Flower Remedies

In the mid-20th century, Dr. Edward Bach developed a series of diluted tinctures from ingredients of the natural world to combat negative emotions, and by extension, disease. Bach supplied that these remedies were different for everyone, depending on mood. And to find out what you need? Just take a...

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March 29, 2022

Food Dye and Behavior

Do artificially colored food dyes make your kids behave badly? This sounds like it could be true, and is certainly alluring to parents as an easy fix. But are they actually related? In the 1940s, Dr. Benjamin Feingold was set to research just that, believing that food dye not only could cause bad...

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March 22, 2022

Spring Medical Questions Are in the Air

It’s time to do a little bit of inbox spring cleaning with all these listener medical questions! Justin reads and Dr. Sydnee answers medical questions about things like healing hickeys, eating all of the meat, tongue-based diagnostics, and tasting with your feet. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayer...

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March 15, 2022

Star Jelly

Have you ever gone outside and found gelatinous goop on the ground? It’s jelly from the stars! But actually . . . what is it? As far back as the 14th century, people have noticed mucilaginous goo that has been associated with both the medicinal and the magical. Dr. Sydnee talks about the many insta...

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March 8, 2022

Update: Havana Syndrome

Havana Syndrome has been in the news lately, so we've brought an update. The CIA has continued to look into people experiencing the symptoms of this strange illness and have found . . . there is some sort of cause after all? So enjoy the full episode explaining the history of Havana Syndrome, and w...

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February 22, 2022

Dr. Charles Drew and Blood Donations

In a Sawbones rarity, we’re talking about someone who contributed positively to the medical field. Very positively. Dr. Charles Drew, the first Black person to get a doctorate from Columbia University was also the person to discover a better method for preserving blood for use in transfusions. And ...

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February 15, 2022

Now That’s What I Call Weird Medical Questions

What question would you ask a doctor if you were sitting next to them? That’s what the goal is today on Sawbones, where “we”, mostly Sydnee, answer listeners’ most pressing weird medical questions. Questions about cool things like ear gauges, absinthe, the strength of car doors, self-advocacy, hydr...

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February 8, 2022

Ben Franklin’s Glass Armonica

Benjamin Franklin: Prolific writer. Founding Father. Inventor. Creator of a killer instrument? The Glass Armonica, more or less a series of singing water bowls with haunting melody, became a popular instrument for a very short amount of time. But by 1830, it ceased being played entirely. Was it be...

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February 1, 2022

Doctoring While Sick

Work culture often lauds the idea that you should go to work even if you’re sick. This is true among a lot of occupations, but the self-declared worst offenders are doctors and other health professionals. Dr. Sydnee explains from her own experience and that of others why it is often the case that d...

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January 18, 2022

Baker-Miller Pink

This episode of Sawbones is a little lighter, and what’s lighter than pink? Nothing, especially when we’re talking about Baker-Miller Pink, a hue theorized to calm people down, quell violence, and maybe even influence muscle strength. It wasn’t the first color thought to have an effect on people’s ...

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January 11, 2022

The Omicron Variant

After a week of working on the hospital floor, Dr. Sydnee discusses her personal experience with the current state of the health care system and what the experts say the omicron variant might mean for the future of the COVID-19 pandemic. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https://taxpayers.bandca...

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January 4, 2022

Mariko Aoki Phenomenon

Have you ever had the sudden urge to go to the bathroom while browsing in a TJ Maxx or a book store? Well, apparently many people have. This phenomenon was first mentioned by Mariko Aoki to a Japanese magazine in 1985, and has recently made its way to TikTok. Dr. Sydnee and Justin investigate some ...

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December 21, 2021

Twelve Days of Christmas

The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" sounds like an extravagant and generous cavalcade of gifts. But what if your true love had less than pure intentions? Justin and Dr. Sydnee go through each present and speculate what deadly diseases they could potentially give you. Not hard to theorize, consi...

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December 14, 2021

Sawbones Classic: Home Alone

We're re-releasing our classic holiday episode all about Home Alone. For your listening edification, Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her lovely assistant Justin McElroy are delighted to present a full accounting of the injuries likely sustained by the Wet Bandits. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers https...

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December 7, 2021

Tis the Season for Weird Medical Questions

We're warming the December chill with another Sawbones Q+A, answering all the weird medical questions that can only be answered publicly, on a podcast. Questions about milk and lost limbs, mole hair, spontaneous UTIs, dead germs, where does the vaccine go, and sexy sneezing.

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November 30, 2021

Alka-Seltzer

Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a LEGACY it is. Welcome back to Justin McElroy’s Medical Brand Hall of Fame, where we can put aside questions of science and efficacy and focus on what really matters: How Juliana Marguiles’ dad wrote a jingle that was hidden for 20 years before it changed the world....

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November 23, 2021

How to Detox from a Vaccine

You can’t.

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November 16, 2021

Arsenic Wallpaper

No, dear listener, “arsenic wallpaper” is not just a great band name, it’s also a reference to a mid-1800s fanaticism around using arsenic to create a particular vibrant shade of green. A sort of . . . jade? Sage? Anyway. You’ve probably already guessed how that works out, but we’ll lay it out for ...

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November 9, 2021

Melioidosis

You may have heard about a recent deadly outbreak related to gemstone-laden room sprays. The culprit in that sad situation is called “Melioidosis,” and this week we’ve got a history of how humanity tracked down this slippery ailment.

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October 26, 2021

Sex and Gender

There has been lots of discourse about gender expression recently, and “science” is often trotted out as an argument to deny the experience of others. “Feel however you want,” these arguments typically begin, “but there are only two sexes, and they’re easily defined, and that’s just science.” Tha...

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October 19, 2021

The Green Children of Woolpit

For Halloween, Sawbones is bringing you a story rooted in folklore and mystery: two children showed up one day in the English town of Woolpit, speaking a strange language . . .and with green skin. But their curious appearance may have a logical and medical explanation, and we bring you our best gu...

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October 12, 2021

The Malaria Vaccine

As an intro to new listeners, we’re bringing you science unfolding in real time that’s actually really good: the malaria vaccine. Let’s get the bad news out of the way first: It’s called Mosquirix. Doesn’t exactly trip off the tongue. But the good news? It could save tens of thousands of children’s...

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October 5, 2021

The Pill that Helps Prevent HIV

Were you aware there’s a medicine that with an extremely high degree of efficacy can prevent the spread of HIV? There is! There’s just one problem: It’s costly. … And not enough people know about it. … And many doctors don’t know enough about it. … And it’s the center of a protracted legal battle ....

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September 28, 2021

Bruising

Well, in one of the classic parenting whoopsies, Justin and Sydnee dented their daughter (she’s fine). In honor of her contusion, this week on Sawbones we’re talking about bruises. Are steaks part of it? Should you put most of a charcuterie board on there? Also, what’s up with the little irons bo...

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September 22, 2021

Weird Medical Questions Strike Back

Is there evidence that sugary drinks cause worse hangovers? Does green snot mean there’s an infection? We’re answering more of your weird medical questions. Well, to be fair, Dr. Sydnee is answering your medical queries about sticky lip germs, C.diff, and the hot debate about that thing on your bac...

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September 14, 2021

Black Oxygen Organics

Well, people are eating dirt. Real expensive dirt, too. That’s where we’re at. There’s a multi-level marketing company that sells people dirt to eat. We’re doing a Sawbones about it, and it turns out that we actually think it’s a really cool and good idea! Eating pricey dirt goo, we mean. … No, no...

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September 7, 2021

Herbalife

If you’ve seen a new smoothie shop or “Nutrition Club” open up in your area, take note: It may not be a smoothie store at all. This week on Sawbones, we explore the history of Herbalife and why this multi-level marketing weight loss company is opening smoothie shops with no smoothies for sale. CW:...

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August 31, 2021

Havana Syndrome

We’ve got a real mystery for you on Sawbones this week: Havana Syndrome. It’s either a secret beam being blasted at American diplomats . . . or a mass psychogenic illness . . . or a complete fabrication. Or anything in between? Yep, it’s a weird one. Hang in there. Music: "Medicines" by The Tax...

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August 24, 2021

Thalidomide

In the 1950s, Thalidomide was rolled out very quickly and what followed was a tragic story that highlighted perils of greed and hidden agendas. This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin attempt to untangle this murky narrative, and highlight the doctor who heroically kept this disaster from clai...

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August 10, 2021

Vicks

Justin takes over Sawbones researching duties from Dr. Sydnee this week as he begins profiling the unsung heroes of business: Brands. In this inaugural attempt, he’ll present the story of Vicks and how the company’s VapoRub took over the world. Also: The puzzling truth about NyQuil’s name. Music: ...

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August 3, 2021

Virology

How well do we understand viruses? We were fighting them before we could even see them. Fast forward to today, Dr. Sydnee explains how all of this relates to what we know now about the Delta variant. To donate to the Immunization Action Coalition: immunize.org Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpaye...

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July 27, 2021

Balto

Sawbones is finally doing the Balto episode! What happens when a remote town in Alaska has a diphtheria breakout, but their entire anti-toxin supply is expired? Call up Balto and the pack of hero dogs and mushers to make the harrowing journey. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 20, 2021

Naloxone

Naloxone is known as the “life-saving drug,” since it can bring someone back from an opiate overdose. Dr. Sydnee goes through the history of this hero drug, how it works, and the recent struggle of keeping it accessible in some communities. Check out the Free Naloxone Day Fundraiser: Bit.ly/Sawb...

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July 13, 2021

Hot Medical Question Summer

It’s time to answer more of your medical queries, like what is Texidor’s Twinge, when does the sunscreen clock start, and yeast infections: why? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 7, 2021

Jimmy Buffett

We recorded this episode live on the Joco Cruise 2020, where Dr. Sydnee dissects the medicine mentioned in the songs of Jimmy Buffett. What is recommend for “Island Fever”? What should Mr. Buffett be concerned about when eating that “Cheeseburger in Paradise”? And do the lyrics of “Frenchmen for th...

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June 29, 2021

Physician Burnout

Workplace burnout is commonplace in the 21st century, but it’s a fairly recent idea. It’s especially insidious among physicians, who are taught that any fatigue is a sign of weakness. Dr. Sydnee shares her personal experience with exhaustion and what might be done to address this problem in the Uni...

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June 15, 2021

Black Lung Disease

As any proud West Virginian knows, the history of mining in the United States is tied tightly to the history of the labor movement. This was partially to address something known as coal worker’s pneumoconiosis, also known as black lung disease. Though unions may have won the battle for recognition,...

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June 8, 2021

COVID Variants and Guns for Vaccines

You might have heard about the COVID variants that have some people worried, and how effective the current vaccine will be against them. But not to worry, we’ve got the sweet sweet data from the Lancet, and some good news regarding the (specifically Pfizer) vaccine. And if you haven’t gotten a vacc...

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May 25, 2021

The Parasite Delusion

Last week, we talked about if eating papaya seeds could rid your body of parasites (spoiler: it can’t). But being concerned about having parasites is not new. We continue the conversation by looking into the phenomenon of Ekbom’s syndrome, or delusional parasitosis, a difficult disorder to both man...

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May 18, 2021

Papaya Seeds and Parasites

TikTok is where the kids are getting all their information on new new wellness trends, so Dr Sydnee decided to check one that’s been popping up a lot: eating Papaya seeds. The main claim is that the seeds awesomely force parasitic worms out of your body – worms you didn’t even know you had! But is ...

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May 11, 2021

Revenge of the Sawbones Quiz

Test your medical history knowledge from this past year’s episodes in the Super Secret Sawbones Quiz of Interesting Information to Inform and Enlighten and Entertain and Impress Your Friends 2021! Consider becoming a supporter of our show: www.maximumfun.org/join/ Sad Trombone by Benboncan: https...

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May 4, 2021

Direct-to-Consumer Advertising

For MaxFunDrive 2021, Sawbones is talking about gross medicine of a different sort. In the United States (and New Zealand) we see a lot of those commercials for prescription medicines with jaunty names and a full minute disclaimer at the end. How they came to be the norm here is a complicated histo...

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April 27, 2021

Chlorophyll

Along with Dr. Sydnee’s amazing videos, TikTok is also a host to an interesting wellness trend: chlorophyll. The green pigment that helps plants turn sunlight into food and oxygen has also been thought to boost your immune system and help with body odor. But chlorophyll as a health food is an idea ...

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April 20, 2021

Vaccine Verification

About a year ago, Sawbones discussed what herd immunity was not. In this episode, we look at how we’ll get there, and what role vaccine verification will play. How has it impacted public health historically, and what can we anticipate in the near future? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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April 6, 2021

St John's Wort

A somewhat invasive plant with yellow flowers named after John the Baptist has been used for centuries as a kind of cure all. Dr. Sydnee will lead you through a history of its many applications, what it’s used for today, and explain what exactly is a wort. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 30, 2021

Gamer Danger

When the Nintendo Wii was released, it also came with a warning about potential injuries, to yourself and to others. But are video games good or bad for your health? Justin takes the lead to educate, entertain and delight about both the medical harm and medical good that video games can do. Music:...

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March 23, 2021

Blue Light Therapy

Have you ever noticed an old house house that has blue glass windows? It's pretty, sure, but it's also supposed to provide healing energy. You can thank a man who really liked growing, farming, and . . . colors for this bizarre but beautiful notion. We've got his story (and how his legacy endures)...

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March 16, 2021

COVID-19: One Year Later

It's been around a year since COVID-19 began to reshape America. On this week's episode of Sawbones, we look back at the past 12 months and examine what we've learned and what we've lost. We'll also take a look at the current state of vaccine rollouts and answer some of your questions. Music: "Med...

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March 9, 2021

Harm Reduction

There are simple, common-sense ways we can save the lives of injection drug users. The United States is woefully behind in adopting these best practices and there are some who are fighting to keep it that way. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 2, 2021

Believe It Or Not, More As for Your Qs

The more questions answered, the more oddly specific they become. Justin plays the listener as Dr Sydnee addresses Alice in Wonderland syndrome, super glue, and sixth disease. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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February 16, 2021

The U.S. Surgeon General

A new presidential administration means a new U.S. Surgeon General, so this week on Sawbones, we're examining exactly what that means. Are they a general? Why do they get to tell us what to do? And why do they care so much about sailor health? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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February 9, 2021

Mewing

Would you believe that without spending a single cent, with just a slight movement of your tongue you could breathe better, sleep better and perhaps even ... become your most beautiful self? You probably wouldn't believe that, because you listen to Sawbones. You probably would believe that the simp...

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February 2, 2021

The Great Smog

As with almost every cultural touchstone, Dr. Sydnee and Justin are extremely late to The Crown party. But the Netflix historical drama has provided not only immovable hairdos and withering glares, it also serves as the inspiration of our latest episode, in which a freak weather pattern (and an ove...

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January 26, 2021

How to Talk About Vaccine Hesitancy

The COVID-19 vaccine has finally arrived and there are, dishearteningly, too many that are on the fence about getting it. This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin provide a guide for talking with those who are vaccine hesitant and how using a kind, empathetic approach can help them see the ligh...

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January 19, 2021

Dropsy

It's a true shame that the medical condition with perhaps the most adorable name, dropsy, doesn't really exists. Well, it exists but ... you know what, this is too complicated. Let's just do a podcast episode about it. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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January 5, 2021

COVID-19: The Final Mile

OK, so the COVID-19 vaccine is here, basically, kind of, but how do you get it? How does your Nonnee get it? How will anybody get it? The answers are ... well, they're a lot less clear than we'd like. This week on Sawbones, we'll equip you with the best information we have in the hopes of reachin...

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December 18, 2020

COVID Vaccine Questions and Answers

Vaccines are here! Vaccines are here! But wait ... aren't they ... rushed? Did you hear they might be ... tainted? Do they give you ... cheetah powers? Even if you believe in vaccines, it's normal to have some questions about them. So this week we'll be providing you with all the answers we have to...

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December 11, 2020

Don't Steal Your Dog's Worm Medicine to Treat COVID-19

Ivermectin is a fantastic, incredible miraculous drug that has recently been touted by some as a potent treatment for COVID-19, despite not having the research yet to back up the claims. This week, we'll help you avoid stealing your dog's worm medication in the hopes of fending off coronavirus. P...

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December 4, 2020

Sawbones: Clinical Trials

Dr. Sydnee and Justin have turned themselves into lab rats as they join a COVID-19 vaccine trial. But how did humanity discover the practices and policies that guide these sorts of human experiments? Listen and find out! Our primary source for this week's episode is this excellent article by Dr. ...

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November 27, 2020

Even More Weird Medical Questions

Is it possible for your medical questions to be ... too weird? That's a question you may be asking yourself on this latest Q&A episode of Sawbones, which explores the contents of poop and a secret button above your buttcrack that makes you pee. PRE-ORDER THE SAWBONES BOOK PAPERBACK! Music : "M...

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November 13, 2020

Hypodermic Needles

With news that a COVID-19 vaccine may be on the horizon and flu shot season in full swing, we take things back to basics with a history of the hypodermic needle and syringe. Also, a strangely large amount of car talk for you gear heads. Music : "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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November 8, 2020

Angel's Glow

On a chilly, rainy Civil War battlefield in Tennessee, soldiers started noticing something strange: Some of their wounds had begun ... glowing. Stranger still: Those with the glow tended to fare better than their illuminated counterparts. The assumption? Angels were bringing them back from the brin...

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October 30, 2020

A Health Care Voter's Guide

If, by some set of unexplainable circumstances, you are still an undecided voter in the U.S. we've prepared something special for you in anticipation of next week's presidential election on Nov. 3. If you're not undecided, you'll at least have a better understanding of how important this election i...

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October 23, 2020

Herd Immunity

There's been a lot of discussion about herd immunity in the face of COVID-19, but did you know that anyone who talks about achieving herd immunity without a vaccine (something humanity has never pulled off ever) is a big stinky liar goofball? We'll explore that truth and so much more on this week'...

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October 16, 2020

Sawbones: Osteopathic Medicine

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.s) have been thrust into the spotlight recently when one was tasked with caring for the world's most famous COVID-19 patient. Some even went so far as to dismiss the president's D.O. for those two letters following his name. But is that fair? This week on Sawbo...

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October 2, 2020

Our 2020 Flu Shot Extravaganza

Gather the family around, it's time for our annual celebration of the flu shot! We got you the PERFECT gift: A bunch of answers to your flu shot quandries, especially in the age of COVID-19. C'mon, the party's starting! More Information: The Immunization Action Coalition Music : "Medicines" by...

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September 25, 2020

How Horseshoe Crabs (Probably) Saved Your Life

Horses? Majestic. Frogs? Maybe royalty. But have you taken a moment to reflect on the humble, half-billion-year old horseshoe crab that almost certainly saved your life with its incredible blood? If not, THIS is that moment. Music : "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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September 18, 2020

Forced Sterilization

Many were shocked to learn of allegations of forced sterilizations at an ICE facility. In this episode, we explore the long American history of this practice and the heartbreaking truth that this latest incident is just the latest in a long string of clinical genocide by those in power.

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September 11, 2020

Death Certificates

You may have recently heard a statistic that just six percent of COVID-19 deaths are attributed to COVID alone. This statistic was based on death certificates. This week on Sawbones, we explain, through the history of this odd document, why that's a really terrible idea. Music : "Medicines" by ...

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September 4, 2020

Nostalgia

Lately, have you found yourself pining for a simpler time? An easier time? Maybe just, like, ANY time other than your current one? You may be experiencing nostalgia. This week on Sawbones, we'll track its evolution from a clinical diagnosis to a possible healing tool. Music : "Medicines" by The...

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August 29, 2020

Vagina Shaming

For millennia, people with vagina was told that there was something wrong with them (if they were even spoken about at all). Their vagina smelled wrong, looked wrong, it was too wet or not wet enough. This week on Sawbones, a reminder that your vagina is (almost always) just fine the way it is. M...

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August 21, 2020

Oleander

Puzzled as to why a pillow peddler is pushing poison to the president to pacify a pandemic? Please press play. Music : "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 14, 2020

Grounded for Life

This week on Sawbones, we explore The Most Important Health Discovery Ever! We know it's the The Most Important Health Discovery Ever because the book is called Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever. So there you have it. Music : "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 7, 2020

Osmosis Jones

This week on Sawbones, we close out the #MaxFunDrive with a FAR too thorough examination of history's only medical animated comedy in which Bill Murray barfs on Molly Shannon. Let's talk about Osmosis Jones. Music : "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 31, 2020

Dr. Joycelyn Elders

Dr. Joycelyn Elders is an American hero who went from a sharecropper's daughter to the first black Surgeon General of the United States. This is the story of her inspirational rise, her infuriating firing and her inability to stop doing good. Music : "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 24, 2020

Operation Warp Speed

Yes friends, that's the actual name of the U.S. government's race to creation a coronavirus vaccine. It's either radical or a huge embarrassment, depending on which Sawbones co-host you are. This week, we'll talk about the progress so far and what work still remains. Music : "Medicines" by The ...

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July 18, 2020

Sawbones: Amnesia

In what is perhaps the first and only example of the Fast and Furious franchise inspiring an episode of Sawbones, we're diving into amnesia. We'll see how media portrayals stack up to reality, look at modern therapy and explore the validity of the second bonk. Music : "Medicines" by The Taxpaye...

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July 13, 2020

Health Media Literacy

We're being inundated by medical news in the face of COVID-19, but how is the layman supposed to make sense of all it? How can you tell a trustworthy report from simple clickbait? We'll discuss on this week's Sawbones (with a brief tangent about re-opening schools). Music : "Medicines" by The T...

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July 3, 2020

Sawbones: The Weight of the Human Soul

An introspective moment on Sawbones this week as we meet the doctor who devoted his life to discovering the weight of the human soul. NOTE: This episode contains discussions of mortality, both human and animal. Music : "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 26, 2020

Systemic Racism in Medical Honors

AOA is a medical honors society that's supposed to separate top-tier medical students from the rest of the pack. It helps determine which doctors get the top jobs in the most competitive fields. The problem? There's implicit racism in the way it chooses members, and fixing it may be a massive chall...

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June 12, 2020

Sawbones: COVID-19 and Bad Data

OK, yes, this is an episode about medical research, but it's the sexiest medical research story you're ever going to hear. It's got scandal! It's got a detective! It's got a sentient robot equipped with anti-gravity technology! We'd type more here, but we have to assume you're already listening. ...

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June 5, 2020

Sawbones: The Black Panthers and Public Health

If you received the typical, white-centric education, you probably associate the Black Panthers only with violence and political protest. This week on Sawbones, we talk about their work in medical research advocacy and creating public health programs that sought to make life better for all black an...

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May 31, 2020

Sawbones: Medical Racism and Protest Safety

This week on Sawbones, we examine how Black Americans have received substandard care and fewer opportunities within the American medical system. Also, some guidance on how to protest as safely as possible in the face of COVID-19. Music : "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 22, 2020

Sawbones: The Cholera Riots

Fear that the government and doctors were allied in a grand conspiracy to oppress the populace was at a fever pitch. The people took to the streets to prove that they would not abide by quarantine, that they would defy the powers that be and go on about their daily lives. The year is 1831. The dis...

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May 17, 2020

Sawbones: COVID-19 Q&A

It should come as no surprise that the Sawbones inbox has been chockablock with questions about the ongoing ... unpleasantness. This week, we're trying to group your COVID-19 queries in an orderly fashion and answer them to the best of our ability. Well, the best of Sydnee's ability. Justin just ta...

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May 8, 2020

Sawbones: Cabin Fever

Did you know that cabin fever isn't just the cooped-up funk we all find ourselves in? It's a real actual disease called typhus -- or at least, it used to be. It's confusing, we know, but this week we're gonna walk you through all the extremely gross details. Music : "Medicines" by The Taxpayers...

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May 1, 2020

Sawbones: COVID Lies, Darned Lies and Statistics

Two doctors made headlines this week by trying to construct the narrative that the COVID-19 pandemic has been overblown by the hospital system in pursuit of more profits. This week, Dr. Sydnee and Justin explain why their numbers don't add up, and how you can combat this narrative if it, depressing...

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April 24, 2020

Sawbones: The Most Dangerous Parade

This week on Sawbones, we discuss Philadelphia's disastrous Fourth Liberty Loan Parade that helped reignite the 1918 influenza epidemic in the region. We'll also examine some other unnerving similarities between that century-old disaster and our current situation. Music : "Medicines" by The Tax...

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April 17, 2020

Sawbones: Dr. Anthony Fauci and Coronavirus Myths

This week on Sawbones, we dive into the backstory of Dr. Anthony Fauci, a beacon of hope and reason for so many in these troubling days. In the back half of the show, we also talk about a bunch of coronavirus bulls**t that you knew was bulls**t but we're gonna tell you anyway. Music : "Medicines"...

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April 12, 2020

Sawbones: Hydroxychloroquine

There are some pushing hydroxychloroquine as a miracle treatment for COVID-19 in a way that should seem familiar (and a little scary) to long-time Sawbones listeners. This week, we'll talk about the long history of this medicine and why promoting it as a COVID-19 cure is so dangerous to those who a...

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April 3, 2020

Sawbones: Ignaz Semmelweis

This week on Sawbones, it's the fascinating, inspiring and infuriating story of Ignaz Semmelweis. You'll learn how he discovered why it was so important for doctor's to wash their hands and why it took so long for doctors to believe him. Music : "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 30, 2020

Sawbones: Masks

The COVID-19 outbreak has recently pushed masks and other protective equipment into the forefront of the global conversation, especially as a shortage threatens medical professionals on the front lines. This week on Sawbones, how masks changed the world of medicine, and what happens when there aren...

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March 22, 2020

Sawbones: Coronavirus Part 2

Surprise! This week our medical history podcast is about the biggest medical history event in any of our lifetimes. Let's talk about home testing! Social distancing! And some reflections from Sydnee after a week at the hospital. Music : "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 13, 2020

Sawbones: Revenge of the Weird Medical Questions

Once again, we're putting Justin at peril of being supremely yucked out by your weirdest medical queries: Should your pee smell so good? Why is your earwax that color? Why did your mom choose the name Fred for that blood-filled lump on her leg? Yup, it's a weird one, folks. Music : "Medicines" by...

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March 6, 2020

Sawbones: How Yellow Fever (Nearly) Destroyed Philadelphia

This week on Sawbones, it's the story of how Yellow Fever killed 10 percent of Philadelphia, destroyed the government and made everyone rethink their collection of decorative standing water. Music : "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 1, 2020

Sawbones: Quarantine

For reasons we assume you can guess, we're discussing the history of quarantine, and how its historical misuse should make you particularly alert in the days and weeks to come as the world continues to combat COVID-19. Music : "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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February 23, 2020

Sawbones: William Cunningham and the Ghouls of Cincinnati

We love grave robbers on Sawbones and ... well, that came out wrong. We don't have a particular affinity for today's grave robbers, but they've played an important role in medical research and ... we're still defending grave robbers, aren't we? OK, listen. Let's start over. This is an episode about...

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February 16, 2020

Sawbones: Laudable Pus

This week on Sawbones, it's the truly embarrassing story of why we spent several centuries thinking it was important for us to make wounds as pus-filled as possible. There's no nice way of saying it folks: This is a gross one. Music : "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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February 9, 2020

Sawbones: Body Temperature

This week on Sawbones, things are getting hot! Well, no, come to think of it, they’re doing the opposite. They’re getting colder. And by “they” we mean “we.” We’re getting colder, all of us. Probably. What should you do about it? Nothing. For now, you’ll just have to -- wait for it -- chill. Musi...

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February 2, 2020

Sawbones: Coronavirus

This week on Sawbones, we've got a no-panic-allowed history of coronavirus along with a guide to the current strain that has held the headlines in a stranglehold in the past weeks. Even if you don't listen to the episode, take heart: If you're outside of China, it's likely you're more scared than y...

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January 24, 2020

Sawbones: IV Cocktails

Would it surprise you to learn that people with too much money are flocking to "IV bars" and paying hundreds of dollars for intravenous cocktails of vitamins that are supposed to treat every malady under the sun but do absolutely nothing except risk serious infection? ... It probably doesn't surp...

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January 19, 2020

Sawbones: Viking's Disease

This week on Sawbones, we celebrate a trip to Minnesota with an exploration of Viking's Disease. You'll meet the people it isn't really named for and the guy who beat out a long line of researchers to get it named after himself. It's a whole thing. You'll see. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers...

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January 10, 2020

Sawbones: Bidets

We bidets have been all the rage for years around the globe, they never really caught on in the U.S. What part of their seedy history kept them out of American homes? And what (if any) are their health benefits? We've got all that and more on the new Sawbones! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers...

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December 28, 2019

Sawbones: The Chicago River Reversal

This week on Sawbones, the incredible true story of how Chicago changed the direction of a river to battle typhoid and cholera. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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December 22, 2019

A Medicine Called Christmas 2: A Royal Pain

Just in time for Christmas, we've got another extremely special holiday film created by Justin and Sydnee McElroy. Gather the family and prepare for A Medicine Called Christmas 2: A Royal Pain. NARRATOR: Rachel McElroy PHIL: Griffin McElroy TAB: Sydnee McElroy JESUS: Dwight Slappe SORIANO...

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December 13, 2019

Sawbones: Elderberry and Other Things That Don't Prevent the Flu

You may have seen a Facebook meme claiming that a combination of elderberry and Oscillococcinum can prevent the flu. The truth of the matter may surprise you! (unless you've ever in your life ever listened to even a single episode of our show) Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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December 6, 2019

Sawbones: Taint Tanning and Heliotherapy

Listen, we're not gonna sit here all fancy and act like we didn't just record an entire episode about people sunning their buttholes. That's what happened, nothing can change that. If you don't listen, it was for nothing. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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December 1, 2019

Sawbones: Yes Virginia, There Are More Medical Questions

We're marking our 300th episode (OK, it's our 301st) by answering all of your pressing medical questions. Can you really poke your brain through your nose? Where do boob crumbs come from? Listen for that and so much more! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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November 24, 2019

Sawbones: The Man Behind the Knick

This week on the 300th (!) episode of Sawbones, meet William Halstead, the father of American surgery, the man who inspired Cinemax's The Knick and ... a great advocate for cocaine. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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November 15, 2019

Sawbones: Food Sensitivity Testing

The market is flooded with at-home tests that let you "take medical care into your own hands" but is that something you even want in your hands? Are they reliable? Also, is Justin really going to give up cereal? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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November 3, 2019

Sawbones: Auto-Brewery Syndrome

On Sawbones, we take pride in our ability to detangle medical myth from fact and give you the truth about the human body. This week on Sawbones ... things aren't so clear. You may need a stiff drink for this one ... unless your body is making them already? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ...

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October 25, 2019

Sawbones: Cough Drops

William Goldman wrote in The Princess Bride "True love is the best thing in the world, except for cough drops." This week on Sawbones, we ruin them. We're really sorry, Bill. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 20, 2019

Sawbones: Ben Franklin

Ben Franklin may not have have been a doctor, but he still had a massive impact on the medical field in his time. What were his contributions? And was he ever actually president? You'll have to listen to find out! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 11, 2019

Sawbones: The Hippocratic Oath

We've all heard about the oath new doctors have to take before they get their first scalpel and weird head mirror thing. But has it always been the same? Did Hippocrates really make it up? Is "First, do no harm" part of it? We'll answer all that and more on this week's Sawbones. Music: "Medicines...

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October 4, 2019

Sawbones: National Hotel Disease

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin check in with National Hotel Disease, the diarrhea so bad it almost brought down a U.S. presidency. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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September 27, 2019

Sawbones: Essential Oils

This week on Sawbones, we talk about the many, many things essential oils can't do for you and the dueling Utah-based companies that insist we're wrong. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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September 20, 2019

Sawbones: Garlic

For thousands of years, throughout an unprecedented number of cultures, garlic has been touted for its ability to improve our health. How? Well, by warding off vampires, silly. ... OK, there's some other stuff too. You should probably just listen. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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September 13, 2019

Sawbones: Vaping

On Sawbones, we like to take a lot of hard lines and make grand proclamations: Vaccines good, viruses bad, that sort of thing. But when it comes to vaping, things get a little ... cloudier? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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September 8, 2019

Sawbones: Hydrotherapy

Water: There's plenty of it, it's not obviously poisonous and it's cheap as all get out. Maybe THAT'S the answer to all our species' medical woes? ... It's not, but if you've ever listened to Sawbones before you see where this episode (recorded live in beautiful Atlanta) is going. Music: "Medicin...

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August 30, 2019

Sawbones: The HPV Vaccine

A vaccine that can practically eliminate a type of human cancer should be cause for celebration across our species. Would it surprise it to learn that some people don't trust it? ... Probably not at this point, huh? This week on Sawbones: The HPV vaccine. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 25, 2019

Sawbones: Sneezing

Welcome to all the owners of human bodies! You're gonna love these things, they can run, jump ... and every once in a while they uncontrollably blast snot out of your face at 100 MPH. This week on Sawbones: Sneezing. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 18, 2019

Sawbones: Fever

Any species could have created a bunch of bogus ways to treat fevers. But only humans could use fevers as a bogus treatment for other stuff and then end up being sort of right about it. This week on Sawbones, we're burning down the house. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 4, 2019

Sawbones: Eli Lilly's Secret Pot Farm

One of the nation's leading pharmaceutical companies once maintained one of the biggest marijuana farms in the country. This week on Sawbones, how Eli Lilly lost its taste for pot, and why it refuses to acknowledge its past. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 26, 2019

Sawbones: Yes, More Medical Questions Answered!

Does medicated chap stick doing anything? What are doctors hiding? Why can't you keep your bones? This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin bring you answers to these questions and many more on a new Q&A episode! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 19, 2019

Sawbones: The Chattanooga Medicine Company

This week on Sawbones, live from the historic Ryman Auditorium, hear the patent medicine company so insidious they made Dolly Parton sing about laxatives on one of the biggest stages in country music. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 12, 2019

Sawbones: Medical Reversals

You're well acquainted with all of humanity's history of medical mistakes, but even modern medicine changes it's mind from time to time. This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin explain what a medical reversal looks like! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 30, 2019

Sawbones: Wine

We all know that consuming wine has no downsides whatsoever, but did you know it also has some amazing health benefits as well?! It's true! (Depending on your definition of "benefits" ... and "health" and ... OK, and "amazing" too. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 21, 2019

Sawbones: Medicine in Japanese American Concentration Camps

This week on Sawbones, we revisit a dismal period in American history that our government seems determined to repeat. Also you'll meet the heroic Japanese American doctors, nurses, dentists and other medical professionals that fought to save lives despite the fact that they themselves were prisoner...

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June 12, 2019

Sawbones: Trichinosis

We all know it's probably smart not to eat raw pork, but this week on Sawbones, we'll meet the inspiring people brave enough to ask "Why?" (Note: We're publishing this week's episode a little early because we're headed out on tour!) Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 7, 2019

Sawbones: Adenoviruses

This is the story of the military-funded vaccine that was, wasn't and then ($100 million later) was again. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 31, 2019

Sawbones: Paternity Testing

Though we have it down to a (literal) science at this point, the history of determining parentage is chock-full of fake medicine. Two words: Impotence court. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 26, 2019

Sawbones: The World of Warcraft Plague

This week on Sawbones: A real-world miracle. Justin gets to talk about video games as Dr. Sydnee explores a in-game plague that brought World of Warcraft to its knees.

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May 18, 2019

Sawbones: The First Pharmacist

This week on Sawbones, we meet the first pharmacist in the U.S., visit the New Orleans museum that celebrates his legacy and hunt the ghosts that supposedly haunt it. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 4, 2019

Sawbones: Bleach

This week on Sawbones, an unnerving look into the upsettingly modern invention of ingesting bleach for medicinal uses. Content warning: This episode includes descriptions of "therapies" that are being used primarily on children and other vulnerable populations. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayer...

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April 26, 2019

Sawbones: Why Doctors Don't Fix Teeth

We've joked a lot about how Dr. Sydnee doesn't know much about teeth, but this week we're explaining exactly why. It all goes back ... to The Historic Rebuff. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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April 19, 2019

Sawbones: Warfarin

Sure, an episode about a common blood thinner may not sound particularly sexy. But we'd bet that once you hear the inspiring story of how moldy hay became a life saving medicine (with a detour as a rat poison) you may think differently. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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April 12, 2019

Sawbones: Cavities

Dr. Sydnee finally took a much belated trip to the dentists office and she and Justin are celebrating in the only way they know how: Digging through all the retched ways we've tried to fix teeth since the dawn of time. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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April 7, 2019

Sawbones: Pinworms

We recorded this episode of Sawbones live on the Joco Cruise 2019. ( Book your cabin for 2020 now , they're filling up fast!) When confronted with the beauty of the ocean and cool island breezes, Dr. Sydnee's mind turns to the only rational place: Pinworms. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 29, 2019

Sawbones: Modern Day Snake Oil Salespeople

Often on Sawbones, we talk about pushers of false cures as if snake oil is a relic of a bygone era. This week on a special MaxFunDrive episode of Sawbones, a reminder that snake oil salespeople are just a present as ever. DONATE NOW! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 22, 2019

Sawbones: Broken Heart Syndrome

This week on Sawbones to celebrate the Maximum Fun Drive we've got a special crossover episode with Shmanners! Let's talk about broken heart syndrome (which is exactly what we'll have if you don't donate!) DONATE NOW! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 15, 2019

Sawbones: Medical Legends of Alabama

Did you know that Alabama has been the home of some huge medical milestones? It's true! Join us as we share the inspirational, hilarious and terrifying medical legends of The Yellowhammer State. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 8, 2019

Sawbones: Stroke

Today, we're honoring the memory of Luke Perry who passed away this week after a stroke. We'll be talking about the history of strokes, but more importantly teach you how to help prevent them and how to spot them when they happen. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 1, 2019

Sawbones: Rubella

This week on Sawbones we complete our three-part series on the MMR vaccine as we make you an honorary Rubella Fighter. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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February 22, 2019

Sawbones: Auriculotherapy

Everybody loves harnessing the power of reflexology, but what if you want all the great, totally real, not at all fabricated benefits of reflexology, but don't wanna touch people's feet? Friends, auriculotherapy is here for you. ... You're OK with touching ears, right? Music: "Medicines" by The ...

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February 15, 2019

Sawbones: Mumps

This week on Sawbones we return to the MMR vaccine, specifically the "mumps" part. We'll also meet the brilliant mind behind the vaccine and the tragic reason he never gets the credit he's due. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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February 5, 2019

Tom Brady's Snake Oil

Besides being a king of football and all around touchdown master, did you know Tom Brady endorses a training and nutrition regimen co-created by a guy who got in trouble with the FTC for selling fake cancer pills? Let's talk about TB12. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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February 1, 2019

Sawbones: Rock Medicine

This week on Sawbones, we'll meet a San Francisco doctor that reimagined how we care for people with drug addiction and got a hit put out on himself in the process. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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January 25, 2019

Sawbones: Bizarro World

Imagine a world where Sawbones never existed, medical progress was halted and false wellness ran rampant. That's the horrifying world painted by a recent issue of The Times that Dr. Sydnee and Justin are going to guide you through this week. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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January 12, 2019

Sawbones: Alkaline Water

As shelves seem to be overtaken by "pH-balanced" beverages, alkaline water has moved from the fringes into the mainstream. This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin see if every human malady really can be fixed by low-pH water. (Spoiler: No.) Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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January 4, 2019

Sawbones: Colic and Gripe Water

Gripe water and colic are a match made in Sawbones heaven: A cure-all and a catch all. This week, we'll explore the history of how a misunderstood diagnosis has helped keep a made-up medicine on the shelves. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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December 24, 2018

A Sawbones Special Presentation: A Medicine Called Christmas

Live from Candlenights 2018, we're so proud to present a staged reading of the new Hallmark Christmas movie written by Justin and Sydnee McElroy: A Medicine Called Christmas. Music: Adam Sakiyama CAST: Narrator: Rachel McElroy Daniel: Tommy Smirl Tabitha: Sydnee McElroy Phil: Griff...

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December 15, 2018

Sawbones: Vitamin B17

This week's episode of Sawbones is all about "Vitamin B17" which is, brace yourself ... not a vitamin. Yup, it's gonna be one of those sorts of episodes. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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December 2, 2018

Sawbones: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

When Dr. Sydnee and Justin find themselves in Colorado, an episode on Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever seems a natural fit ... except it's not really that common in Colorado. But when the story of a disease is able to tie together cow-dipping terrorism and frozen food, how can they resist? Music: "Me...

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November 21, 2018

Sawbones: The Herpes Thanksgiving Special

This Thanksgiving, Dr. Sydnee and Justin invite you on their ambitious quest to use the biggest family meal of the year to destigmatize herpes. No more waiting for your problematic uncle to make things weird; this you're YOU'LL be the one starting uncomfortable conversations. Music: "Medicines" ...

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November 16, 2018

Sawbones: Black Salve

Would you believe that the hot new (very old) alternative medicine paste that indiscriminately burns your cells off is bad for you? We know, we were shocked too. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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November 9, 2018

Sawbones: Jilly Juice

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin take a swig from the new miracle drink Jilly Juice, which can not only cure every disease but can regrow limbs! (It can't, it makes you puke and poop and that's it, but you should listen anyway.) Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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November 3, 2018

Sawbones: Your Weird Questions, Our Weirder Answers

We've spotted a boatload of your weird medical questions on the horizon and we've pointed our knowledge cannons at it and we're ... sinking it? Listen, the metaphor got away from us. We're sorry. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 28, 2018

Sawbones: Possession

This week on Sawbones, we detail all the real medical conditions that have been mistaken for demonic possession and the modern day psychiatrists that are pushing for possession to be taken more seriously. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 21, 2018

Sawbones: 27 Reasons Why You Should Get a Flu Shot

Dr. Sydnee and Justin asked why you, their beloved listeners, haven't gotten a flu shot and now they're taking 27 (yes, 27) of your most common excuses and blowing them to smithereens. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 13, 2018

Sawbones: Dr. Price's Bad Ideas

Dr. Price was a dentist with some pretty bad ideas about nutrition. That probably wouldn't have merited an appearance on Sawbones ... except those bad ideas went on to inspire a terrifying modern following. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 8, 2018

Sawbones: The Oregon Trail

This week Justin and Dr. Sydnee try desperately to save you from cholera on a grand tour of the many different ways to die on The Oregon Trail. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers (Apologies if your player downloads this episode twice, we had an issue with the file we're trying to troubleshoo...

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September 30, 2018

Sawbones: Vasectomy

You had to see this one coming. Yes, just a few short weeks after Justin's surgery, Dr. Sydnee decides to explain the complete history of vasectomies in excruciating detail in front a few thousand of their closest friends. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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September 21, 2018

Sawbones: Medical Illustration

We take for granted that we know what bodies look like on the inside, but this week on Sawbones we honor those brave pioneers that had to draw them for the very first time. Also Dr. Sydnee and Justin explore the scandal behind the most famous book of medical illustrations. Music: "Medicines" by ...

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September 14, 2018

Sawbones: Memorialization and Medical Ethics

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin discuss what we owe to people who do terrible things in the name of medical progress. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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September 7, 2018

Sawbones: Ether

People talk a lot of mess about drugs being dangerous, and they're right. But did you know that ether frolics, a delightfully named drug party, inspired a powerful anasthetic? It's true! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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September 1, 2018

Sawbones: Asbestos

Asbestos has gotten a lot of bad publicity over the last century, but isn't that just because it's so incredibly dangerous for humans to inhale? Isn't that just another case of bias? As the current American administration seems to be clearing a path for asbestos to return to the spotlight, Justin a...

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August 24, 2018

Sawbones: Perkins' Tractors

Justin and Dr. Sydnee explore the history of Perkins' Tractors which are both 1. not what they sound like and 2. not what they claim to be. Mysterious! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 12, 2018

Sawbones: The Placebo Effect

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

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August 4, 2018

Sawbones: CBD Oil

CBD oil is collecting a lot of adherents and getting a lot of buzz due to, in part, it being derived from cannabis. It won't get you high, but is CBD oil the panacea many are promoting it as? Let's discuss on this week's Sawbones! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 22, 2018

Sawbones: Applied Kinesiology

This week on Sawbones, we explore a completely groundless testing method based on the same science as Ouija boards that's used by over a third of American chiropractors. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 13, 2018

Sawbones: The Bends

In honor of the rescue of 12 boys and their coach from a cave in Thailand, we're discussing the history of dive medicine research that helped make it possible. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 6, 2018

Sawbones: Ozone

Ozone provides a helpful layer of sunscreen for Earth, but it's toxic to humans. It will come as no surprise to regular Sawbones listeners that we've spent the past couple hundred years trying to jam it in every possible orifice. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 30, 2018

Sawbones: Antimony

Imagine an incredible pill that could give you nausea and diarrhea and then once ejected from your body could be reused an endless number of times. Dream no more! Antimony is here! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 24, 2018

Sawbones: Ketogenic Diet

You've likely heard a lot about the ketogenic diet lately, but have you heard it wasn't created for weight loss? Maybe you did, Justin didn't. Either way, we'll talk about it and so much more on this week's episode of Sawbones. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 14, 2018

Sawbones: Our Mental Health Stories

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about their struggles with mental health. Trigger warning for discussion of depression, anxiety and suicide. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 8, 2018

Sawbones: Medical Astrology

Does the position of the sun and the stars at the time of your birth determine your medical history? No! But some people thought it did. Scratch that, still do. Oh, and can we talk about Dr. Oz for a second? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 30, 2018

Sawbones: DNA Testing

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin hunt for the the soccer gene as they talk about the modern trend of DNA testing and read their own results for the first time on the show! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 27, 2018

Sawbones: Freckles

Here in our hemisphere, the sun is brutalizing us even now, weeks away from the start of summer. For many, that means the return of freckles. But where are these little guys coming from? And how can we burn them off with acid? This week, Sawbones asks the tough questions. Music: "Medicines" by T...

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May 18, 2018

Sawbones: Hepatitis A

East Coast fast food restaurants have been plagued recently by Hepatitis A scares. This week, live from the Columbus Podcast Festival, Justin and Dr. Sydnee take you behind the history of the disease. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 6, 2018

Sawbones: Legends of the Hidden Breast

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee shares her breastfeeding experiences and discusses some of the stigma surrounding the practice in America. She and Justin also take some time to shatter breastfeeding myths. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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April 29, 2018

Sawbones: Fractures

This week on Sawbones: Bones! We know, we thought it was weird it took us this long too. It's like ... right there in the title, you know? Anyway: BONES! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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April 20, 2018

Sawbones: Genetically-Modified Organisms

This week on Sawbones, we're talking about genetically-modified organisms. Should you be afraid when you see GMO on packaging? Or is genetic modification an incredible technology that may be humanity's best hope at avoiding extinction? You'll have to listen to find out, but we've probably already...

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April 12, 2018

The Ghastly Gauntlet: A Sawbones Super Quiz

How well do you know your horrifying medical history? Find out this week as you test your knowledge with The Ghastly Gauntlet: A Sawbones Super Quiz! What will you score? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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April 5, 2018

Sawbones: The Secret Life of Doctors

Ever wonder what doctors do when they're not giving you a check up? Wonder how to get the most out of ever doctor's visit? We've got the answers for you in our new episode: The Secret Life of Doctors. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 31, 2018

Sawbones: Bee Venom Therapy

This week we've got bee venom therapy another Goop favorite, that despite all the Gwenecdotal evidence may not be worth the risk. Hopefully Dr. Sydnee and Justin's goofing will help take the sting out of it. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 25, 2018

Sawbones: ALS and the Many Diseases of Jean-Martin Charcot

This week, Dr. Sydnee and Justin mark the passing of Stephen Hawking by discussing the disease that shaped his life and the unusual, prolific physician that discovered it. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 10, 2018

Sawbones: Ambulances

Dr. Sydnee and Justin have talked about when you get sick at your house and when you're treated at the hospital, but isn't there a missing link? Isn't there something between those two things? What are Dr. Sydnee and Justin hiding? Well, nothing, they just have never talked about ambulances before....

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March 2, 2018

Sawbones: Our Second Birth Story

We've been gone for a little while, but with good reason! We had another baby. To save ourselves sisterly in-fighting in their teen years, we're recounting the (slightly less eventful) birth of our second daughter this week. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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February 9, 2018

Sawbones: Yet More Medical Questions Answered

Does chewing Excedrin really make it work faster? Does gasoline help a bee sting? We'll answer those queries and many more as Dr. Sydnee and Justin take on more of your weird medical questions. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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February 2, 2018

Sawbones: Antibiotics

This week on Sawbones, it's the story of a miraculous cure and how we all have to work together to protect it. Join Dr. Sydnee and Justin for the story of antibiotics. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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January 26, 2018

Sawbones: Goiter

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin rub two different kinds of poop on your throat because they don't know iodine exists. Join us for a history of the goiter. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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January 19, 2018

Sawbones: Don't Eat Tide Pods

This week, we devote an entire episode of our medical podcast to discouraging people from eating detergent pods. 2018 is off to a great start. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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January 14, 2018

Sawbones: Raw Water

Do you need a doctor and her lovely sidekick to tell you that you shouldn't drink dirty water? No, probably not. But, infuriatingly, some people do. So we will. Let's talk about "raw water." Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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January 6, 2018

Sawbones: Home Alone

For your listening edification, Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her lovely assistant Justin McElroy are delighted to present a full accounting of the injuries likely sustained by the Wet Bandits. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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December 21, 2017

Sawbones: The CDC and Medical Censorship

The CDC was recently asked by the Trump administration to stop using seven terms like "fetus" and "transgender" in budget requests. But certainly there's precedent for this right? Certainly this happens all the time, right? RIGHT? This week join Dr. Sydnee and Justin for a history of the CDC and me...

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December 15, 2017

Sawbones: Coffee

This week on Sawbones, we join you live from Seattle. Seeing as this town took place in the home of Starbucks, we took the opportunity to extoll the many medicinal virtues of coffee. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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December 6, 2017

Sawbones: Wound Care

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Dr. Sydnee explore all the weird, terrible ways we've tried to fix one of the human body's most basic problem. It's a history of wound care! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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November 30, 2017

Sawbones: The Baby Show

This week, Dr. Sydnee and Justin introduce you to Martin Couney, the (maybe) doctor who put babies into a carnival side show and saved a generation of preemies. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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November 15, 2017

Sawbones: Legionnaires' Disease

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin visit Disneyland and the only souvenir they bring back is an investigation into the history of Legionnaires' Disease. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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November 10, 2017

Sawbones: Charcoal

Grilling season is over in our part of the U.S. and Justin wants to know what he's gonna do with all this left over charcoal. The answer, according to Dr. Sydnee? EVERYTHING. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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November 3, 2017

Sawbones: Chili Peppers

This week on Sawbones, we're examining all the health benefits of the red hot chili peppers. Flea is good for you, believe it or ... wait, it's not those chili peppers? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 27, 2017

Sawbones: Soda

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin visit the home of Coca-Cola to recount the history of medicinal soda pop and try to finally solve the age-old dispute of Coke vs. Brad's Drink. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 19, 2017

Sawbones: The Moon

The moon is more than just a big hunk of cheese. Actually, it's not even really cheese. Did you think it was cheese? Wow, you know less about the moon that we thought. Dr. Sydnee and Justin's history of all the things we blame the moon for is going to be extra super educational for you, huh? Musi...

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October 5, 2017

Sawbones: Inside a Doctor's Bag

Take a thrilling journey through time with Dr. Sydnee and Justin as they travel to the 1800s and peer inside a doctor's bag. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 1, 2017

Sawbones: Aspirin

Join Dr. Sydnee as she shocks Justin with the revelation that aspirin isn't for headaches anymore, along with plenty of other revelations about this wonder pill. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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September 22, 2017

Sawbones: The Glass Delusion

This week, Dr. Sydnee and Justin delve into the strange story of the king who thought he was made of glass, and the many he might have convinced that they were too. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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September 17, 2017

Sawbones: The Presidential Fitness Test

How many pull ups can you do? How fast can you run? How far can you jump? Most importantly: Why does the President of the United States care so much? These questions and more answered this week! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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September 11, 2017

Sawbones: Snoring

Dr. Sydnee and Justin mark the 200th episode of Sawbones with a topic that's a real snooze: The history of snoring! (Get it?) Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 25, 2017

Sawbones: Tickling

Sawbones tries to lighten things up this week and Dr. Sydnee and Justin explore the chuckle-worthy history of tickling. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 17, 2017

Sawbones: Eugenics

This week on Sawbones, join Justin and Dr. Sydnee for a timely, tragic history of eugenics. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 11, 2017

Sawbones: Opioid Addiction

This week on Sawbones, join Justin and Dr. Sydnee for a sobering look at America's opioid crisis. The bad news: We're all still living in a Sawbones episode. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 3, 2017

Sawbones: Erectile Dysfunction

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin rub a baby alligator's heart on every penis we can find as we explore the history of treating erectile dysfunction. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 19, 2017

Sawbones: Mutter Museum

Philadelphia is home not only to the most recent Sawbones live show, but also one of the world's most unusual museums -- The Mutter Museum -- a collection of medical oddities and anatomical specimens. But this is no freak show, this is an unflinching, educational look at the disturbingly beautiful ...

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July 13, 2017

The (Maybe) Real Dr. Frankenstein

The man who (maybe) inspired Mary Shelley's Frankenstein didn't just try to breathe life into corpses. He also invented a medicine so toxic it was used in chemical warfare. Also, a kind of blue! This is all real. We swear. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 7, 2017

Sawbones: Wrinkles

If you've got a few decades on you, you've certainly started to notice a few of the telltale signs of aging. Well, not YOU, of course. YOU look great, but like, your friends and stuff. This week, Justin and Dr. Sydnee explore the incredible array of bizarre treatments for wrinkles. Music: "Medici...

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June 30, 2017

Sawbones: An Incomplete History of Gender Confirmation

This week, special guest Laura Kate Dale joins Dr. Sydnee and Justin for a (very) incomplete history of gender confirmation. We hope you'll join us too! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 25, 2017

Sawbones: Yet More Weird Medical Answers

Why is there iodine in salt? What takes the place of a removed organ? Can you ... actually, that one is too gross to put here. Join Dr. Sydnee and Justin as they take on your weird medical questions even ... that last one. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 17, 2017

Sawbones: Conversion Therapy Part 2

This week, we conclude our series on "conversion therapy" with the religious aspect of this horrific "treatment." Trigger Warning: The treatments used in these "therapies" were upsetting, and those sensitive to hearing about them may wish to avoid this episode. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpay...

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June 9, 2017

Sawbones: Conversion Therapy Part 1

This week, we're honoring Pride Month and the LGBTQ community with an exploration of the disturbing history of conversion therapy. Trigger Warning: The treatments used in these "therapies" were upsetting, and those sensitive to hearing about them may wish to avoid this episode. Music: "Medicin...

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June 2, 2017

Sawbones: Medicinal Tattoos

Tattoos (usually) look cool, but did you know they've also been used throughout history to treat illness? It's true! This week, Dr. Sydnee and Justin explore the history of medicinal tattoos. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 25, 2017

Sawbones: The Clap

Live from Austin, Texas, it's ... well, it's one of the grossest episodes Justin and Dr. Sydnee have ever recorded. So, sorry about that. Anyway, let's talk about The Clap! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 18, 2017

Sawbones: Vivien Thomas

We mentioned him in our last episode, but Vivien Thomas deserves his own episode. Join Dr. Sydnee and Just as they explore the life of the high-school educated grandson of slaves that changed the face of surgery. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 11, 2017

Sawbones: Tetralogy of Fallot

Thanks to Jimmy Kimmel's heartfelt plea for healthcare on behalf of his infant son, Tetralogy of Fallot has been in the headlines. This week on Sawbones, join us for the inspiring story of how we fought back against the debilitating ailment. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 3, 2017

Sawbones: The Salisbury Diet

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Dr. Sydnee explore the Salisbury diet, and meet the incredible woman who turned into a poop detective to prove it right. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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April 30, 2017

Sawbones: Flouride

This week, Dr. Sydnee and Justin explore a medical mystery: Why, for a town in Colorado, was having brown teeth a sign of great tooth health? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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April 23, 2017

Sawbones: The 80-Hour Work Week

Just how long has the first-year doctor checking you out been awake? The answer may surprise you. The biggest surprise, however, is why a sleepy doctor may be better than the alternative. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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April 14, 2017

Sawbones: Pica and Eating Dirt

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin explore some of the reasons people eat things they really shouldn't. Like dirt. And cigarette butts. And clay. And mattresses. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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April 6, 2017

Sawbones: The Papanicolaou Test

This week, Justin and Dr. Sydnee bring you the thrilling story of how a former department store clerk from Greece saved countless lives with the invention of a single test. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 30, 2017

Sawbones: More Weird Medical Answers

We're continuing our celebration of MaxFunDrive by giving back to you, our lovely listeners and even lovelier donors with an all Q&A episode of Sawbones. Why do runners poop? Can you skip a day of antibiotics? Enquire within! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 23, 2017

Sawbones: The Incredible Dr. James Barry

Were you aware that history's coolest doctor was a guy named James Barry who began their life as a woman? Sit down. For this super-sized #MaxFunDrive episode, we've got the whole story. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 16, 2017

Sawbones: Norovirus

Live from the Crow's Nest of the ms Westerdam, it's Sawbones all about norovirus! (Hey, we're on a cruise ship, what else are we gonna talk about? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 9, 2017

Sawbones: Patient Privacy

This week, Dr. Sydnee's dad Tommy Smirl sits in for Justin as they explore the history of patient privacy. Why does the doctor have to keep your secrets? Find out this week! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 1, 2017

Sawbones: The Purification Rundown

Last week, we took you through detox. This week, we're going WAY deeper with a single treatment: The Purification Rundown. Strap in, folks, this one GOES PLACES. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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February 26, 2017

Sawbones: Detox

Before you start your next juice cleanse or coffee enema, we beg of you: Let Dr. Sydnee and Justin reassure you of the amazing detoxification powers of the human body. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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February 17, 2017

Sawbones: Sinuses

Hey, but what ARE sinuses. It's OK if you don't know, Justin didn't either. Join him in a brief education from doctor Sydnee and hear about DaVinci's near miss with sinus history. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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February 9, 2017

Sawbones: The Man Who Ate Everything

This is a story about Tarrare. Tarrare was always hungry. Here is a list of some of the things Tarrare ate: A cat. A puppy. A snake. An eel. Offal. Poultices. And maybe people. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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February 3, 2017

Sawbones: Immigration Medicine

America has welcomed millions of immigrants in its time. This week, we explore the medical hoops they've had to jump through to get in and explore how those have changed over the years. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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January 27, 2017

Sawbones: Health Insurance

The American health insurance system is unlike any other in the world, and not in the good way. It's probably about to get worse. This is the story of how we got here. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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January 19, 2017

Sawbones: Silver

No need to be blue, we're back with an all-new Sawbones about silver! See, that's a very good joke, because ingesting silver can turn you blue, but you wouldn't know that because you haven't listened yet. Sorry. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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January 6, 2017

Sawbones: Space Medicine

Is 2017 the year that everybody gets to go to space? Well, no, probably not. But the groundwork is there for us to do it thanks to the doctors and astronauts that pioneered space medicine. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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December 24, 2016

Sawbones: Santa Is Sick

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

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December 16, 2016

Sawbones: Chapped Lips

Chapped lips are a minor annoyance, but that didn't stop old-timey people from smushing together TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF BRAINS to rub on them. Join Justin and Dr. Sydnee for a history of cheilitis. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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December 9, 2016

Sawbones: Ginger

It's the perfect time of year for gingerbread cookies, but what do you do with all that excess ginger? Well, maybe put it in a horse's butt? No, no, don't do that. But some people do. All that and more on this week's history of ginger. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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December 2, 2016

Sawbones: Vaseline

Cold temperatures mean chapped lips and (for a lot of people) that might also mean Vaseline. But Vaseline is used for SO much more. Like way, way, way, way more. Join Dr. Sydnee and Justin as they talk about one of the most useful things ever invented. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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November 25, 2016

Sawbones: Cranberries

To celebrate American Thanksgiving, Dr. Sydnee and Justin example the medical history of that beleaguered holiday treat: The humble cranberry. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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November 20, 2016

Sawbones: Chicken Pox

This week on Sawbones, we celebrate the everyday heroism of The Last Chicken Pox Generation. Also, Dr. Sydnee and Justin share your best chicken pox stories. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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November 11, 2016

Sawbones: Your Medical Questions, Answered!

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin help provide you with the answers to all the medical questions you can muster, everything from knocking people out in action movies to tastebud inflamation. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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November 3, 2016

Sawbones: Frankberry Stool

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin delve into what may just be history's oddest actual medical diagnosis: Frankenberry stool. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 28, 2016

Sawbones: Ghostwatch

A lot of folks like scary movies around Halloween time, but what happens when "spooked out" becomes "legitimate medical condition"? This week, Dr. Sydnee and Justin tell the story of a movie that might have gone too far. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 20, 2016

Sawbones: Medical Games

Dr. Sydnee hands the wheel over to Justin this week as he returns to his medical media series with a history of medical video games. Learn how meteors gave all dinosaurs asthma and so much more! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 14, 2016

Sawbones: Pellagra

Immigrants get the job done, and that extends to curing a mysterious disease once blamed on everything from bad corn to summertime. This week, Dr. Sydnee and Justin introduce you to the doc who cracked the case. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 8, 2016

Sawbones: Hemorrhoids

Justin is not the hero Dr. Sydnee needs, but he's the one we all deserve. Because he's finally willing to admit the dark secret he's kept hidden for so long. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 1, 2016

Sawbones: Laughter

Is laughter really the best medicine? No! Medicine is. The history of how we arrived at that conclusion is the subject of this week's Sawbones. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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September 24, 2016

Sawbones: Pneumonia

If you've paid even passing attention to the American presidential race, you've probably heard a lot of talk about pneumonia recently. This week, Dr. Sydnee and Justin try to provide some historical perspective. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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September 15, 2016

Sawbones: Dental Hygiene

Do you really need to floss? Have you been taking your chew stick for granted? Dr. Sydnee and Justin explore those and other pressing questions in exploration of the history of dental hygiene. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 31, 2016

Sawbones: EpiPen

How did a journey that began with Prince Albert hunting for jellyfish on a cruise end with one of the biggest calamities in prescription drug history? Join Justin and Sydnee for the story of the EpiPen. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 26, 2016

Sawbones: The Royal Fistula Fad

Celebrities have started some pretty weird fads, but perhaps none are weirder than the one started by King Louis XIV, who made it cool ... to have a fistula. Join Justin and Dr. Sydnee for this very special episode. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 17, 2016

Sawbones: Doping

We're continuing to celebrate the Summer Olympics by presenting all the weird, terrible, horrid way athletes have tried to cheat their way to winning over the years. From donkey hooves to guinea pig sperm, it's ... it's a weird one. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 10, 2016

Sawbones: Cupping

Olympic athletes swear by it, but what really is the science behind cupping? Dr. Sydnee and Justin are looking into it, and the answer might (but probably won't) surprise you. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 4, 2016

Sawbones: Arsenic

It's poison! It's medicine! It's both! ... OK, so it's mainly poison, but it hasn't always been that way. Join Justin and Dr. Sydnee for a brief tour of medical arsenic. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 29, 2016

Sawbones: Aloe

Sure, it may seem like a magical plant, but just how helpful is that big bottle of green goo on your shelf? This week: Dr. Sydnee and Justin present the medical history of aloe. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 21, 2016

Sawbones: Tea

We're throwing a Boston Tea Party of our own as we explore the strange history of medical tea live from Boston's historic Wilbur Theater. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 13, 2016

Sawbones: Goofy Medical Questions Vol. 3

Is it really so bad to pop pimples? Can you cut the mold off food and eat it? Is it fatal to hold in a sneeze? These questions and so many more are answered on our latest Q&A episode! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 7, 2016

Sawbones: Medical Garb

Why do doctors wear that? What did they used to wear? Dr. Sydnee and Justin answer the big questions like that, including the big one: What's up with that little head mirror? Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 30, 2016

Sawbones: Salt

If you've ever used salt for ANYTHING other than making cold french fries moderately edible, you need to listen to this episode. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 23, 2016

Sawbones: Narcolepsy

You probably think you have narcolepsy all figured out, but did you know that it's also the most horrifying disease of all time? It's true! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 16, 2016

Sawbones: The Presidents Are Sick

The presidents have, by and large, all been sick, sick men. We're going to talk about exactly how sick as Dr. Sydnee and Justin explore presidential disease. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 8, 2016

Sawbones: Pliny the Elder

In a way, it's all lead up to this. Live from the PlayStation theater in New York City, we've finally dedicated an entire episode to Pliny the Elder, patron saint of Sawbones. Also: A musical number! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 31, 2016

Sawbones: Mary Roach

Holy crap you guys, we talked to Mary Roach! Yes, THAT Mary Roach, the author of Gulp, Bonk, Spook and her newest, Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War, due out in early June. We spoke with Roach about a history of wrong thinking on diarrhea, why the military kept weather-related secrets f...

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May 27, 2016

Sawbones: Kombucha

If you, like us, have been seeing kombucha everywhere, you've probably heard about it's many, many health benefits. Like, SO MANY health benefits. You know what ... you've listened to Sawbones for a while, right? You know where this is going. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 19, 2016

Sawbones: Kidney Stones

It's time to talk about the ailment so scary that Hippocrates told other doctors they shouldn't mess with it: Kidney stones. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 11, 2016

Sawbones: Bezoars

If you found a lump of hair in an animal's stomach, would you first thought be "Huh, I bet that will help cure poison!" No? See, that's why you'll never cut it as an old-timey person. Let's talk about bezoars! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 4, 2016

Sawbones: Tinnitus

We continue our exploration of the ear with an examination of one of history's most annoying (and hardest to treat) ailment: Tinnitus, otherwise known as ringing in the ears. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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April 29, 2016

Sawbones: Goofiest Medical Questions Vol. 2

We're back with answers to more of the medical questions so goofy you're afraid to ask your doctor. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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April 21, 2016

Sawbones: Earaches

Last week on Sawbones, we moved into your ear. This week on Sawbones, we're staying put with an episoe about the dizzying number of ways we've profaned mice to fix earaches. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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April 15, 2016

Sawbones: Earwax

This week on Sawbones, we make earwax way, way worse before we remove all of it. Well, most of it. You gotta leave some you know, it's good for you. Eh, you should probably just listen. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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April 6, 2016

Sawbones: Hydrogen Peroxide

In what may be the most shocking episode of Sawbones to date, we reveal the dirty truth about hydrogen peroxide: It's maybe not so useful for anything. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 30, 2016

Sawbones: Hemophilia

Dr. Sydnee and Justin try to apologize for their poopie episode with an episode about blood. They are bad at apologizing. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 23, 2016

Sawbones: Poop

Welp, here's an episode about poop. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 16, 2016

Sawbones: Your Goofiest Medical Questions: Answered

It's #MaxFunDrive time and Justin and Sydnee are marking the occasion with a special episode in which all of your goofiest, most embarrassing medical questions will be answered by Dr. Sydnee. The link to donate? Well, so happy you asked! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 9, 2016

Sawbones: Vinegar

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Sydnee harness the power of history's longest lasting, most widespread and (perhaps) least effective home remedy. The good news about vinegar? Still great on fries. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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March 3, 2016

Sawbones: Hookworm

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Sydnee have been working in the coal mine, and paying REAL close attention to where they step in the their history of hookworm. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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February 24, 2016

Sawbones: The King of Quacks

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Sydnee return to the fertile land of patent medicine quacks to introduce you to Curtis Howe Springer, the King of Quacks. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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February 18, 2016

Sawbones: Heartburn

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Sydnee eat some coral in a misguided attempt to cure their heartburn (while upsetting as little of the ecosystem as possible). Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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February 10, 2016

Sawbones: Crystal Healing

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Sydnee really "rock out" with an episode all about the healing power of crystals. Get it? Rock out? Man, that's one great joke. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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February 3, 2016

Sawbones: Zika Virus

This week on Sawbones, a new disease is taking the world by storm and Sydnee and Justin are there to explain what everyone is so freaked out about. Well, Sydnee explains. Justin freaks out. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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January 27, 2016

Sawbones: The People vs. The Spleen

This week on Sawbones, it's The Trial of The Century as Justin tries to prove to Sydnee once and for all that the spleen is useless. Take your seats, here comes the judge. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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January 21, 2016

Sawbones: Nosebleeds

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Sydnee have got some wicked nosebleeds, but it's no problem: They've got some Doug to stuff up there. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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January 17, 2016

Sawbones: Green Sickness

his week on Sawbones, Justin and Sydnee drop out of school and have some pre-marital sex to cure their pseudo-anemia. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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January 6, 2016

Sawbones: Fasting

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Sydnee finally kick the eating habit as they explore the often-disturbing history of fasting. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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December 23, 2015

Sawbones: Christmas is Trying to Kill You

This week on Sawbones, Live from Huntington, WV and Candlenights 2015: CHRISTMAS IS TRYING TO KILL YOU. Grandma. Egg nog. Trees. Mistletoe. The Grinch. RUN. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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December 18, 2015

Sawbones: Scurvy

This week on Sawbones, we put the lime in the coconut and the severity of our scurvy is not diminished in the slightest. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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December 9, 2015

Sawbones: Gunshot Wounds

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin provide a brief history of caring for gunshot wounds. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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December 4, 2015

Sawbones: Scarlet Fever

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin discuss one reason the world is a little less scary for today's parents: The history of scarlet fever. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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November 27, 2015

Sawbones: The Poison Squad

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin highlight some of medicine's most incredible superheroes. Their power? Eating trash and not dying. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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November 18, 2015

Sawbones: The Woman Who Gave Birth to Rabbits

This week on Sawbones, Sydnee and Justin are back with, and we don't think we're exaggerating here: The weirdest story they've ever told. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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November 4, 2015

Sawbones: Nursing

This week on Sawbones, Sydnee and Justin finally stick it to Joy Behar (just a couple months too late to be relevant) with their brief history of nursing. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 29, 2015

Sawbones: Medical History Halloween Costumes

This week on Sawbones, Sydnee and Justin dip into their archives to find some great/terrible ideas for costumes from the history of medicine. Also: Spooky medical stories to help you impress around the campfire! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 21, 2015

Sawbones: Roundworm

This week on Sawbones, Sydnee and Justin embark on a tour of the history of roundworms, in an episode Sydnee says will be just "Part 1" of the history of roundworms, which Justin finds horrifying, for the record. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 16, 2015

Sawbones: Lyme Disease

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Sydnee are dodging ticks as we explore the surprisingly short history of Lyme Disease. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 8, 2015

Sawbones: Near-Death Experiences

This week on Sawbones, Oh No Ross and Carrie! hosts Ross Blocher and Carrie Poppy hosts step in for Sydnee and Justin as part of the Max Fun Great Switcheroo as they look into the history of near-death experiences. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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October 1, 2015

Sawbones: Aah, Real Monsters!

This week on Sawbones, Sydnee and guest star Rileigh Smirl introduce you to the diseases at the root of some monsters myths. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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September 24, 2015

Sawbones: Snakes

This week on Sawbones, it's Part Three of our series of putting pet-centric illness on BLAST. This week, we put snakes on a plane. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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September 16, 2015

Sawbones: Lice

Lice are gross. That is all. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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September 10, 2015

Sawbones: Cats

This week on Sawbones, it's Part Two of our series of putting pet-centric illness on BLAST. This week, live from Vancouver, we give kitties the business. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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September 2, 2015

Sawbones: Birds

This week on Sawbones, it's Part One of our series of putting pet-centric illness on BLAST. This week, live from Seattle, we finally give birds their due. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 26, 2015

Sawbones: Love

This week on Sawbones, we celebrate 100 episodes of Sawbones as Justin and Dr. Sydnee pat themselves on the back, talk about the history of their show (and marriage) and explore the medical history of love. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 20, 2015

Sawbones: Conjoined Twins

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Dr. Sydnee explore the strange, sad and even occassionally lovely history of conjoined twins. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 12, 2015

Sawbones: Hygiene

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Dr. Sydnee throw the baby out with the bathwater (literally) as they explore the history of hygiene. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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August 5, 2015

Sawbones: Honey

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Dr. Sydnee do their sweetest, most requested episode ever: Let's have a bit 'o' honey. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 29, 2015

Sawbones: Fainting and Corsets

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Dr. Sydnee stop making corsets and build two battleships as they explore the history of fainting. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 23, 2015

The Unkillable Phineas Gage

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Dr. Sydnee blow metal rod through a guy's brain and live to tell about it. He does too, which is more impressive, in retrospect. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 15, 2015

Sawbones: The Seasick-Proof Saloon

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Dr. Sydnee crash a boat into a pier to cure your seasickness. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 8, 2015

Sawbones: Guinea Worms

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Dr. Sydnee are wrapping a parasitic worm around a stick with Jimmy Carter. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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July 2, 2015

Sawbones: Burns

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Dr. Sydnee celebrate their wedding anniversary by rubbing cow manuer in a burn. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 24, 2015

Sawbones: Sunburns

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Sydnee want you to get your D in the safest way humanly possible. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 17, 2015

Sawbones: The Teen Girl

This week on Sawbones, Justin is transported into the body of a Sydnee's teenage sister Rileigh and has a lot of awkward questions. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 10, 2015

Sawbones: Medical TV (Part 2)

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Sydnee finish their scattershot history of medical TV. An episode that even the most squeamish listener won't be yucked out by! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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June 3, 2015

Sawbones: Poison Ivy

This week on Sawbones, you're gonna need an ocean of calamine lotion as Justin and Sydnee explore the weird history of poison ivy. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 20, 2015

Sawbones: Typhoid Mary

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Sydnee share medical history's greatest present the sad story of one of medicine's most mistreated "villains." Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 13, 2015

Sawbones: The Gut Hole Romance

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Sydnee share medical history's greatest will-they/won't-they, the story of a doctor and his muse: A man with a hole in his stomach. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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May 6, 2015

Sawbones: Sweating Sickness

This week on Sawbones, Justin and Sydnee are gonna make you sweat with their history of the totally bizarre phenomenon known as "Sweating Sickness." Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers

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April 29, 2015

Sawbones: Polio

This week on Sawbones, in the last of their three-part series, Dr. Sydnee and Justin explore the dark and light side of swimming pools as they present the triumph over polio. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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April 22, 2015

Sawbones: Heroes of Patent Medicine: Volume 3

This week on Sawbones, in the last of their three-part series, Dr. Sydnee and Justin introduce you to some of the craziest operators in the patent medicine game. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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April 15, 2015

Sawbones: Heroes of Patent Medicine: Volume 2

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin introduce you to some of the craziest operators in the patent medicine game. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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April 8, 2015

Sawbones: Heroes of Patent Medicine: Volume 1

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin introduce you to some of the craziest operators in the patent medicine game. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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March 25, 2015

Sawbones: Medical TV (Part 1)

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee hands the reins to Justin as they explore the history of medical TV, and explain why most of TV doesn't actually exist. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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March 16, 2015

Sawbones: Medical Education

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin explain why Sydnee gets to call herself and Justin doesn't. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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March 11, 2015

Sawbones: Malaria

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin explain why an earthquake knocking trees into a lake was pretty miraculous in their history of malaria. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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March 4, 2015

Sawbones: Syphilis

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin talk about the latest hot trends in mercury fumigation as they explore the history of syphilis. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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February 25, 2015

Sawbones: The Four Humors

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin wear a Taz T-shirt in a mall fashion show. Also, bile, blood and phlegm is discussed. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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February 17, 2015

Sawbones: Chocolate

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin take a sunrise and sprinkle it with dew. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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February 11, 2015

Sawbones: The Dancing Plague

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin revisit a horrifying, real-world case of Boogie Fever. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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February 3, 2015

Sawbones: Measles

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin get angry about the measles. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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January 27, 2015

Sawbones: Paracelsus

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin putting some poopy into a bread pill. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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January 20, 2015

Sawbones: Blood Transfusions

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin are selling all their blood. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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January 14, 2015

Sawbones: Aromatherapy

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin are gonna unlock the infinite power of your nose. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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January 6, 2015

Sawbones: Diabetes

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin are gonna drink that sweet pee. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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December 30, 2014

Sawbones: Alcohol

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin are getting absolutely, figuratively tanked. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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December 23, 2014

Sawbones: Appalachian Folk Medicine

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin pass your baby around a table leg. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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December 16, 2014

Sawbones: Organ Transplants

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin give the greatest gift of all. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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December 10, 2014

Sawbones: Enemas and Cleanses

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin blow it ALL out. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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December 2, 2014

Sawbones: Tooth Removal

This week on Sawbones, Dr. Sydnee and Justin are yanking out your bad teeth and replacing them with worse teeth. Also: Why were black teeth once the height of fashion? Let’s find out! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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November 18, 2014

Sawbones: Asthma and Allergies

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 your sniffles with fox blood. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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November 12, 2014

Sawbones: Influenza

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 greatest medical holocaust in history. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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November 4, 2014

Sawbones: Ebola

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 talk ebola. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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October 28, 2014

Sawbones: Vitamins

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 eat like 50 lemons. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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October 21, 2014

Sawbones: The Goat Testicle Solution

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 you some extra balls. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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October 14, 2014

Sawbones: Cataracts

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 squirt a little breast milk in your eye. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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October 7, 2014

Sawbones: Acne

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 make your face smell terrible. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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October 1, 2014

Sawbones: Color 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 repaint your house. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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September 23, 2014

Sawbones: Insomnia

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 can't sleep. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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September 2, 2014

Sawbones: Our Birth Story

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 had a baby. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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August 26, 2014

Sawbones: Spontaneous Combustion

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: This show is on fire. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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August 12, 2014

Sawbones: Gout

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 change the course of human history with gout. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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August 5, 2014

Sawbones: Rabies

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 feed bloody nuts to chickens. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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July 22, 2014

Sawbones: Hiccups

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 hide a horseshoe to cure your hiccups. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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July 15, 2014

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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July 8, 2014

Sawbones: Vaccines

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 save your kids. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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June 24, 2014

Sawbones: C-Sections

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 open your velcro belly slot. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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June 17, 2014

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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June 10, 2014

Sawbones: Corpse Theft and the Resurrection Men

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 stole your grandpa. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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June 3, 2014

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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May 27, 2014

Sawbones: Warts

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 pay you to eat our warts. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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May 14, 2014

Sawbones: Cholera

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 go blind and punch someone in the eye. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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May 6, 2014

Sawbones: Sleepwalking

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 sneak a cookie in our sleep. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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April 29, 2014

Sawbones: Self-Experimentation

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 ourselves cholera. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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April 22, 2014

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 Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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April 15, 2014

Sawbones: Magnets

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 magnet on it. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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April 8, 2014

Sawbones: Medical Cannibalism

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 eat people. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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April 1, 2014

Sawbones: Dr. Mesmer and the Power of Animal Magnetism

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 mesmerize you. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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March 25, 2014

Sawbones: Medical Marijuana

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 make Sawbones ... on weed. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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March 18, 2014

Sawbones: Oil Pulling

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 swish some oil. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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March 11, 2014

Sawbones: Phrenology

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 measure your head lump. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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March 4, 2014

Sawbones: Plastic 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: We replace your nose with a leaf. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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February 25, 2014

Sawbones: Left-handedness

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 shake the devil's hand. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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February 19, 2014

Sawbones: Pregnancy Tests

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 pee on EVERYTHING. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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February 11, 2014

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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February 4, 2014

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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January 28, 2014

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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January 21, 2014

Sawbones: Menstruation

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: Aunt Flo crashes on our couch. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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January 14, 2014

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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January 3, 2014

Sawbones: Hangovers

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 your hangover. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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December 20, 2013

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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December 13, 2013

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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November 29, 2013

Sawbones: Headaches

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: Get your head straight! Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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November 15, 2013

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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November 8, 2013

Sawbones: Fertility

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 a bun in that oven. Music: "Medicines" by The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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November 1, 2013

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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October 25, 2013

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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October 18, 2013

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 )

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October 11, 2013

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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October 4, 2013

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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September 27, 2013

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 )

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September 20, 2013

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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September 13, 2013

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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September 6, 2013

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 The Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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August 30, 2013

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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August 16, 2013

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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August 9, 2013

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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August 2, 2013

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 )

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July 26, 2013

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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July 19, 2013

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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July 12, 2013

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 Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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July 5, 2013

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 Taxpayers ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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June 28, 2013

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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June 21, 2013

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 ( http://thetaxpayers.net )

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Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine

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