. A study of history would dispel this myth. But both the medical profession and the public consider that vitamin C is just a vitamin to be taken in small doses. Yet I have stated for years in my medical column that vitamin C is also an antibiotic and an antifungal that is safe and inexpensive, and saves lives from diseases like polio and 30 other infections. So, it is most frustrating to read that in a national newspaper this nonsense once again about vitamin C. And this is why I'm writing this column to correct this fable.