That’s also why some people believe in snake oil. People get desperate to try something after a few days of illness and then suddenly feel better after doing the thing. They would have gotten better without it, but the timing makes it seem like the thing cured them. It’s why we use double blind studies instead of anecdotes like this.
Did you know actual snake oil was used in traditional Chinese medicine for arthritis. Aparently it’s quite high in Omega-3. But it got popular and then grifters started selling random concoctions and calling it snake oil and that’s how it became synonymous with quackery.
Not really related to the point of your comment, I just read about it recently and thought it was interesting.
That is true, but bathing after avoiding it for 60 years is still a significant change in environment that probably isn’t great if you’re 94 years old.
That’s too harsh, unless you are a medical expert who is 100% confident this cannot be. I doubt that you are.
Skin has its own microbial flora and is the largest organ of our body. Imagine you take antibiotics. This can lead to all kinds of side effects, because good bacteria just as bad are killed and your gut needs to repopulate.
If you did not wash your skin for decades, I’m pretty certain that you will acquire a pretty unique and rich microbiome on your skin that co-exists with you in symbiosis if you are healthy. Now you just wash it away.
I imagine that if they managed to convince him is because he wasn’t feeling too well.
In other words, maybe what killed him wasn’t having bath but what made him change his mind about the bath.
That’s also why some people believe in snake oil. People get desperate to try something after a few days of illness and then suddenly feel better after doing the thing. They would have gotten better without it, but the timing makes it seem like the thing cured them. It’s why we use double blind studies instead of anecdotes like this.
Did you know actual snake oil was used in traditional Chinese medicine for arthritis. Aparently it’s quite high in Omega-3. But it got popular and then grifters started selling random concoctions and calling it snake oil and that’s how it became synonymous with quackery.
Not really related to the point of your comment, I just read about it recently and thought it was interesting.
Neat! Thanks for sharing
Almost certainly a correlation ≠ causation situation. Bathing wouldn’t suddenly destroy his probably insanely resistant immune system.
That is true, but bathing after avoiding it for 60 years is still a significant change in environment that probably isn’t great if you’re 94 years old.
This is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen posited.
That’s too harsh, unless you are a medical expert who is 100% confident this cannot be. I doubt that you are.
Skin has its own microbial flora and is the largest organ of our body. Imagine you take antibiotics. This can lead to all kinds of side effects, because good bacteria just as bad are killed and your gut needs to repopulate.
If you did not wash your skin for decades, I’m pretty certain that you will acquire a pretty unique and rich microbiome on your skin that co-exists with you in symbiosis if you are healthy. Now you just wash it away.
"But, local media say, Amou Haji finally succumbed to pressure and washed a few months ago.
According to Iran’s IRNA news agency, he became ill shortly afterwards and died on Sunday."
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63389045