Argument 51(390)

thomasjonesUID: 2669812

Argument 51
２月１日作业，时间很长，质量不高，望指教O(∩_∩)O


In this argument, the arguer points out that all patients diagnosed with muscle strain would be advised to take antibiotics as part of their treatment. To support the conclusion, the arguer quotes an assumption of doctors and a contrast experiment to prove that secondary infections may influence the recovery of the injured. The arguer suffers from some critical fallacies.

First, the incomplete comparisons between the two experimental groups are a misleading assertion that could not be tested. There might be some differences between treatments offered by the two doctors A specialist may give the patients efficient treatment on their muscle strain, while perhaps a general physician just offer* regular treatments*. Meanwhile, it is possible that some different qualities between the patients in two groups, for instance, the severity of injuries, physical condition of the two groups of patients may differ a lot.
Furthermore, some apparent possibilities exist, for example, the sugar pills may lighten the injury. If so, then the arguer's recommendation would make little sense. To eliminate the puzzlement, the arguer should remove the existing difference in the experimental group and control group.

Second, the argument assumes that secondary infection would necessarily elongate the time of recovering without substantiating this assumption. Lacking such evidence, it is just as likely that some other factors may influence the recovery except the secondary infections.
If so, the author should make sure what the real factors are, otherwise the experiment is meaningless to undertake and the conclusion is incredible. Thus, the ratio of how many patients suffer from the secondary infections might also be required for the rejection of confusion.

Finally, even if the doctors' assumption is prove to be true, the use of antibiotics does not necessarily apply to all patients with muscle strain. It is totally possible that the application on some patients* allergic to antibiotics may cause harmful effects rather to shorten the recovering time. On the other side, the by-effect caused by antibiotics should be taken into account. Without considering and ruling out the bad effects of the application of antibiotics, the argument's conclusion that taking antibiotics as part of treatment for muscle injuries is vulnerable.

In conclusion, the arguer fails to establish a causal relationship between muscle strain and antibiotics. To strengthen the argument, the author should provide more information of secondary infections and effects of antibiotics.