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"On Suggestion" by John Bostock, 1923: A comparison with twenty-first century understandings of the placebo effect
1School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Objectives:
This paper describes Australian psychiatrist John Bostock's 1923 concept of suggestion and compares it to our understandings, in 2023, of the placebo effect.
Conclusions:
Bostock's 1923 article on "suggestion" gives us a glimpse of the history of Australian psychiatry. It also stimulates thought about the current understandings of the placebo effect. Now, as then, placebo effects can play a critical role in patient outcomes. However, careful consideration is required to ensure contemporary ethical standards are met and harm is not done.
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