title: Fashion, science and technical change: the history of the treatment of glue ear.
abstract: One reason for the current epidemic in the rate of surgery for glue ear in children is that a shift in treatment has taken place from non-surgical to surgical methods. An historical review of the treatment of this condition reveals the existence of previous 'surgical epidemics' and the importance of two particular factors-technical developments, such as the design of tympanostomy tubes and the introduction of antibacterial drugs; and the lure of panaceas such as ionizing radiation. In addition, it reveals how medical practice is, like most human behaviour, subject to fashion. Despite this, there is a constant desire by practitioners to be adjudged 'scientific' in their work, and definitions of science are equally susceptible to change over time.
mesh_terms: D004739:England; D005060:Europe; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000266:history*; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000266:history*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000266:history* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000266:history; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000601:surgery; D014481:United States