It has often been said that nine out of ten doctors recommend this practice or that treatment. So, as practicing physicians, we were compelled to ask, “What the heck does that one other doctor recommend?”

1 Out of 10 Doctors Recommends… finally solves that mystery.

This book draws from our medical education and clinical experiences. In fact, the idea for this book was born when one of the authors was a medical student on an internal medicine rotation. He sat at the computer scrolling through the medications listed in the electronic medical record system and happened upon “leeches.” Not only did this surprise him, but the fact that research had been performed as to where on a patient leeches should be placed, including on the patient’s entire body, seemed simply unbelievable.

Spurred on by this remarkable discovery, we have taken an engaging and humorous look at some of the strangest and most unusual medical practices, research, and case studies across time and cultures, including:

• Performing fecal transplants to treat certain infections.

• Slapping body parts to get the same results as plastic surgery.

• Research demonstrating that skydiving might actually be dangerous.

• Applying maggots to heal wounds.

• Espousal of the safety and utility of heavy metals such as lead and mercury.

• Poking microscopic holes in your face to make you look younger.

A further impetus for this book came from our realization that although the history of medicine is replete with research, recommendations, and remedies that might be considered unusual or just plain “crazy” by most people, there are equally as many contemporary outlandish practices. And what is perhaps most unbelievable: Many of these practices, research ideas, and treatments are grounded in valid science and/or actually seem to work. Others, however, have proven to be examples of medical quackery, and even dangerously wrong in certain cases.

As three physicians specializing in fields that include child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric mental health, as well as emergency medicine, we bear witness on a daily basis to the age-old irony of clinical care: Patients complain that doctors never listen, and doctors complain that patients never follow doctors’ recommendations. 1 Out of 10 Doctors Recommends suggests potential reasons why some patients might choose to disregard the counsel of their so-called highly educated and extensively trained physicians.

But from our diverse practices and numerous patients, we have learned that regardless of diagnosis or prognosis, humor is often the best medicine. Readers will certainly find the humor here. The best medicine part … we’ll let you be the judge.

DR. MURDOC KHALEGHI, M.D., splits his time between the emergency department, working with cool companies, and trying to stay warm during youth hockey games.