It looks as though at least a couple of my readers have taken to heart my suggestion that, if the pro-CAM, “no skeptics need apply” new wikipedia known as Wiki4CAM won’t allow any scientific evidence to be posted within its pages if it does not support the CAM therapy being discussed, then perhaps we should go all Sokal on it and post the most outlandish forms of CAM we can think of in order to see whether any of the editors at Wiki4CAM actually notices, and if anyone does how long it takes.
Thus far, we have two skeptics who have taken up the challenge, one choosing a more subtle–shall we say?–faith-based approach, and another going for pure parody. First, we have Bing McGhandi’s lovely addition to the entry for faith healing. I particularly like the “science-y” part where he tries to show a relationship between the frequency of laying on of hands and the efficacy of Christian faith healing. Second up, we have a new and fantastic therapy known as flame detox. The entry speaks for itself. Worse, it’s not that unbelievable, given the belief that the use of caustic mud like the “black salve,” which, it is said, “draws out toxins” or even “draws out tumors,” does anything more than induce skin burns. In case the Wiki4CAM administrators get wise to this, I thought I’d save the entry for posterity:
Flame detoxification is a relatively new procedure, developed by Dr. Fong Yu in Beijing, China. It is based on the theory that in ancient times, our bodies were able to handle the lower levels of toxins in the environment. As the world has become more industrialized, we have become more toxic. One evening, as he was cooking a meal, he realized that the fluids released from his food as a result of cooking where potent toxins. After many years of research and testing, he developed the flame detox process.
The treatment is performed in his office, or in the office of a suitable CAM practitioner. A flame of pure hydrogen is directed at a spot in the skin, causing it to release it’s toxins. It is these toxins that are responsible for the resultant colour change of the skin. Once the skin is black, heat is removed. The area is washed, and the black toxic residue is allowed to slough off at its own pace.
Some allopathic doctors have expressed concern about this treatment, considering it to be a simple burn. This is not the case. Dr. Yu has found that if the flame is pure hydrogen — a compound of the water that makes up our bodies — the flame has no ill effect. It’s only action is to expose and draw out toxins.
These are good starts, folks, but I have faith in you all. I know you can come up with even better material! I mean, come on! The homeopathy article alone cries out for your loving attention! (Quantum gyroscopic homeopathy, anyone?) And what good is Wiki4CAM without an article on DNA activation? Or quantum theory as used in “alternative” medicine? The possibilities are endless, and I’m betting to the administrators it’s all good, given the level of credulity it takes to be a homeopath.
