Idiopathic Hypogeusia: A Medical Mystery

In The Medical Detectives by Berton Roueche, many important questions are raised. First of all, why are these people suffering from these symptoms? In some cases, it seemed to have happened rapidly, while in others, it seemed to be gradual. Dr. Henkin says the symptoms are commonly associated with hepatitis, pregnancy, and the common cold. So why in some cases are they still there afterwards? Dr. Henkin tested with metals in one man, and he ended up giving him zinc pills; even though he wasn't sure it was going to work. It did however, and the man went on his way. The same symptoms were experienced by another man and Dr. Henkin gave him the same pills, and they worked on him as well. Then, when he met Rudy, he saw the same symptoms. This time though, he did more thorough tests on him. There was also an experiment done where some patients were given placebos and others were give the real pills. Not even the doctors were told which patients were given what. It turned out that some patients that were given placebos felt better, and some given the actual drug had no improvement. The doctors were shocked by these results, they were almost positive that the zinc pills would work for everyone. Finding out this new information, he did tests on Rudy to see if zinc was in fact in the saliva. He determined that it was, and that people who had less zinc in their taste buds usually had these symptoms. He gave Rudy the pills and after a while he was back to new. When he went back to Dr. Henkin for a follow up, the doctor gave him placebos, which he didn't know about. As Dr. Henkin expected, a few months later Rudy came back and said the symptoms came back; he knew then that the pills actually did work. This also brings up the fact of experimentation and the ethics behind it. The doctor knowingly gave Rudy placebos, thinking that his symptoms would reappear. Is this ok if it was for medical knowledge that could potentially benefit others? Is experimentation considered justifiable if these patients have no other options? These questions don't have easy answers.