In opening his talk for Tuesday's second plenary session, Sir Iain Chalmers, related how he had left a calculus class "never to return". He said a colleague later reassured him that mathematical ability is a congenital abnormality.
While, on this basis, his 'abnormality' may not be mathematical, Sir Iain must have one to have achieved all that he has done leading to him having been described by another as the "maverick master of medical evidence".
Sir Iain took us on a historical tour of controlled trials. He opened by stressing that although the focus would be British, that the story was much more an international one. He noted, in particular, work done in the early part of the twentieth century in Boston, New York and Chicago.
It is impossible to do justice in this blog to the subjects covered in Sir Iain's talk. However, we understand that plenary sessions are being recorded to be made available over the internet so hopefully more will be able to appreciate this fascinating talk in the not too distant future.
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