Five things that modern science cannot explain:

[longship]

39. Not for malaria, they don't.

Also, it is unethical for a physician to prescribe placebo according to the standards of care. Also lying to a patient is against the standard of care. Not saying it's not done, but if I found out my doctor was doing either, I'd sue him for malpractice. And I'd win.

Placebos do not treat anything. It's the intervention by the doctor which provides the placebo, not the fucking sugar pill. And that only works for psychogenic, non-specific, and self-limiting symptoms. Real disease like malaria, infectious diseases, infections, diabetes, fucking cancer, etc do not respond to placebos, let alone a cordial bed manner. Some symptom relief may be provided by the interaction, but unless real medicine is provided, you're going to be in a world of hurt and morbidity if you just get placebo.

So stop pretending that placebo does something to heal, because when things come down to life and death, it does not.

So by all means, tell your doctor to treat you with placebo for your malaria. Then, buh-bye.