The Plague Makers

Abstract

<h3>To the Editor.</h3> —I would like to respond to a few points raised by Dr Polly in his review of my book.¹ First, with regard to his characterization of the style of the book as resembling a supermarket tabloid, I would like to remind him that this book was written primarily for nonhealth care professionals. If it had been written in a drier style, the important message of the book—that the inappropriate use of antibiotics is putting us on the brink of disaster— would never have gotten out. If Polly thinks that this message is hyperbole, I refer him to an article²by Cohen that indicates he believes we are fast approaching the postantibiotic era. Clearly, not all infectious disease experts share Polly's opinion of my book—several respected authorities have endorsed it. As to my blaming the problem of antibiotic abuse on a misguided medical school curriculum, I