How Far Have Come?

How Far Have We Come?


We like to think we are a sophisticated society enriched by science. The medicine we take, we like to believe, has been thoroughly studied and approved by the National Institute of Health. Clinical trials have provided evidence that these drugs are efficacious and safe.

Why then is our life expectancy lower than that in the UK, Switzerland, Italy and Australia? With all we know, why are we dying of heart disease, cancer and stroke?

Our colonial ancestors believed that the four humors determined our state of health. When black bile was out of balance we acted depressed and irritable. The surgeons of the 18th century prescribed bleeding or a purge to bring the body back into balance. How different is that from thinking that we need to take antibiotics or vitamins?

While a novel and distrusted concept, inoculating healthy citizens with live smallpox proved to stem the spread of the disease. Washington had the whole Continental Army inoculated. Today, we immunize children against diphtheria, tetanus, acelluar pertussis, hepatitis B and meningitis (to name a few). We encourage most of the adult population to get a flu shot.

Once grown outback in the family garden and used as the first medicine for treatment, herbs have had a resurgence of popularity. Not just in health food stores anymore, they are increasingly found in our supermarkets.

Popular as a way to ward off contagion, garlic is taken today to keep people healthy. Chocolate has always made people feel better. Even Harry Potter is given chocolate to counter a Death Eater. Now science says that dark chocolate contains antioxidant flavonoids that lower blood pressure.

In many ways, we have not changed our practice of medicine.

Watch for Part II