There is a good movie to be made in the telling of how the cause of stomach ulcers shifted from lifestyle and diet issues to a common bacteria.

Not that I have any particular interest in ulcers — it is just fascinating that the medical community took about twenty years to let go of the ‘spicy pizza’ theory of ulcers and embrace the bacterial theory. And in this Covid era, the general public has spent a year listening to the medical community pound the table, claiming the irrefutability of science and studies and proof. Well, sometimes, even in their own back yard the medical community misses, or chooses to miss, a challenge to widely held beliefs. It’s hard to let go sometimes.  

Initially, the medical community would not accept the bacterial theory behind ulcers. The ‘food and lifestyle’ theory of ulcers was so ingrained that the bacterial theory was rejected outright. It is now fairly common knowledge that stomach ulcers are caused by a bacteria in your gut and not by a stressful lifestyle or a diet of spicy foods.

Of course, nothing is ever simple. Ulcers were so common in the early half of this century that gastroenterologists were making a very comfortable living. Ulcers could be treated, but they always came back. A steady supply of patients meant a steady supply of income. As well, the antacid treatments were bringing in billions yearly to large pharmaceutical companies. There was no incentive to fund ulcer research.

Enter Dr. Barry Marshall. He infected himself on purpose with the bacteria he believed was the underlying cause for ulcers. He later won a Nobel prize for his efforts.

See? A good movie, right? Midnight, a man all alone drinks a foul broth, gets sick, cures himself, and no-one believes him. 

Eventually, as Dr. Marshall told his story, his theory gained traction. Average people, with or without ulcers wanted to know more. Publications like Reader’s Digest and National Enquirer wrote about the ‘guinea pig Doctor’. The story spread and gained momentum. Money for research had to follow as pressure built. 

Never underestimate the power of a good story.  

Stay safe everyone.

Anne Milne is an every Sunday blogger.  Facebook or Twitter.