The book investigates the role of consensus and the consequences of ignorance within the medical sciences. Brittain examines how established medical knowledge is formed and maintained, exploring the mechanisms by which consensus is achieved and the penalties faced by individuals or ideas that deviate from it. The work likely delves into historical case studies and theoretical frameworks to understand the social and professional dynamics that shape medical understanding and practice.

The book appears to address a niche academic audience interested in the sociology and history of medicine. Its focus on consensus and penalties for ignorance suggests a critical examination of how medical knowledge is constructed and policed. The work likely offers a detailed analysis of the internal dynamics of medical science, potentially drawing on historical examples to illustrate its arguments about professional accountability and the challenges of challenging established paradigms.