Medical Ethics of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (7)

Back in November 2004, I started writing a series of posts on the medical ethics of complementary and alternative medicine. Because of inadequate management of symptoms by modern medicine and perhaps because of the poor communication skills by modern physicians, many patients are turning to alternative medicine for relief. I found the following “historical” listing of prescriptions for one symptom on several joke websites and thought it reflected some truism about medical treatment through the ages. What do you think? ..Maurice.

A Brief History Of Medicine

I have an earache. 2000 B.C. - Here, eat this root. 1000 A.D. - That root is heathen, say this prayer. 1850 A.D. - That prayer is superstition, drink this potion. 1940 A.D. - That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill. 1985 A.D. - That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic. 2003 A.D. - That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root.