Although it isn’t clear in the story, doctors often use empirical treatment: i.e. treat the most likely culprit, then rely on the patient to come back if it doesn’t work.
So I don’t take this as a huge strike against the medical profession—after all, knowing a treatment hasn’t worked is a large informational edge.
Eliezer’s solution wasn’t dietary treatment, it was to use imported Nizoral.
Although it isn’t clear in the story, doctors often use empirical treatment: i.e. treat the most likely culprit, then rely on the patient to come back if it doesn’t work.
So I don’t take this as a huge strike against the medical profession—after all, knowing a treatment hasn’t worked is a large informational edge.