The Light Fantastic?
According to The Times, Sir Terry Pratchett is trying out an antidementia helmet:
The author Sir Terry Pratchett is testing an antidementia helmet, which it is claimed can slow down or even reverse Alzheimer?s disease. The helmet, invented by Gordon Dougal, a GP, directs intense bursts of light at a patient?s skull.
While I can’t be certain this is complete quackery, it does appear to be suffering from a lack of evidence and has the whiff of too good to be true. I am surprised and can’t help thinking he’d be better sticking with his nice black hat.
“No one knew better than Granny Weatherwax that hats were important. They weren’t just clothing, hats defined the head. They defined who you *were*. No one had ever heard of a wizard without a pointy hat? at least, no wizard worth speaking of. And you certainly never heard of a witch without one… Hats had power. Hats were important.”
Terry Pratchett, Witches Abroad.