How randomisation superseded alternation in clinical trials

In one of four papers first presented at last year's conference to mark 50 years of clinical trials, D'Arcy Hart explains how the MRC conducted two trials in the 1940s in Britain (p 572). The first, of patulin for the common cold, was double blind and placebo controlled but subjects were allocated alternately to study groups. The second, of streptomycin for tuberculosis, was neither placebo controlled or double blind, but treatment was allocated randomly. D'Arcy Hart concludes that the trial not only showed that streptomycin worked but also heralded the conversion of clinical scientists to randomisation.

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A change in scientific approach: from alternation to randomised allocation in clinical trials in the 1940s

P D'Arcy Hart
BMJ 1999 319: 572-573. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]