-Michael Kenward wrote
> For the "science" bit, I suggest your local witch doctor.
>
In reply to a question about magnetic device which is alleged to relieve the
symptoms of period pain. I suppose he meant to convey the idea that there
is no scientific proof that this thing works, or perhaps the deeper notion
that according to our present understanding of magentism and physiology
there is no way in which this thing can work.
Oh dear! I though that part of the point of science was that it was about
taking note of novel phenomena, which do not necessarily accord with our
existing notions of the possible and at least subjecting them to a searching
assement to see if they are real phenomena or not. To dismiss something as
'junk science' because it lies outside the realms of what science currently
holds to be possible is, I suggest, rather arrogant.
I don't know if anyone has attempted to find out if this magnetic treatment
for period pain has any value. On the face of it, it seems unlikely, but it
equally it does not appear that if the magnetic treatment worked any of the
'big' laws of nature, such as the laws of thermodynamics, would be violated.
So the idea that magnets applied in a certain way may help to ease period
pains seems very unlikely, but certainly not incredible.
In part I am prompted to write this by a piece in last weeks New Scientist
(Nov 10 2001, p4) which reports on a totally unexpected discovery about the
behaviour of molecules of substances dissolved in water. In brief it appears
that adding further water to a solution can cause the molecules of the
dissolved substance to clump together in larger masses, rather than simply
thinning them out in the water. This is I suggest, at least as counter
intuitive as the notion that magnets may be effective against pain, but if
the phenomenon turns out to be replicable, may offer a scientific basis for
the oft-derided homeopath's claim that diluting a medicine makes it more
effective. This, the article speculates, may arise from the larger clumps
of molecules being more biologically active than the smaller ones.
But, we don't understand why the molcules should clump in this fashion, if
indeed they do, nor why these larger clumps should have this enhanced
biological activity. But equally these phenomena are now being investigated
scientifically, rather than just being dismissed as so much rubbish.
I think we need to be very careful about dismissing reports of novel
phenomena as rubbish unless the phenomenon in question has been subjected to
a scientific investigation to see if it actually happens. Then, if we know
that it really happens, but don't know why we should not be frightened of
saying so. Dismissing novelty as rubbish is the hallmark of several systems
of human thought, none of which are scientific.
Richard Ellam.
L M Interactive
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