At one time, long ago in our history, medicine was considered an art and not just a profession. To be a physician was a noble and sacred task. During the time of the ancient Greeks we find sacred temples of healing and the physician priests accomplished wonderful and profound healings.
In more modern times, if we consider the 1500s modern compared to 300 BC, we read the words of Paracelsus talking about the sacredness of the medical profession and his thoughts regarding the true art of medicine and the sacred obligation of being a physician.
Paracelsus stated, “The physician comes from nature, from nature he is born; only he who receives his experience from nature is a physician, and not he who writes, speaks, and acts with his head and with ratiocination’s aimed against nature and her ways. If you apply an art, let it be only in the light of nature, and not in superficial action.”
“Every physician must be rich in knowledge, and not only of that which is written in books; his patients should be his book, they will never mislead him… and by them he will never be deceived. But he who is content with mere letters is like a dead man; and he is like a dead physician. As a man and as a physician, he kills his patient.”
Paracelsus spelled out what the best qualifications of a good surgeon are:
– A clear conscience,
– Desire to learn and to gather experience,
– A gentle heart and a cheerful spirit,
– Moral manner of life and sobriety in all things,
– Greater regard for his honor than for money,
– Greater interest in being useful to his patient than to himself,
– He should not practice self-abuse,
– He must not act without judgment,
– He must not accept belief without understanding,
– He must not boast of knowing anything without experience,
– He must never boast or praise himself,
– He should know all the vulnerary herbs,
– He should know all the essences,
– He should know the articulations of nature and all her properties,
– He should know all the tissue-forming remedies,
– He should know all the essences.
Paracelsus also had a very interesting thought when he stated, “the longer the book, the less the intelligence; the longer the prescriptions, the poorer their virtue. Therefore each physician should achieve great things by means of small things.”
Paracelsus achieved many wonderful and incredible results during his life. But at all times he considered medicine a sacred task and the practice by a physician to be the noblest of all activities. In summing up his theories he believed that the physician should be a good listener and observer. Listen to your patient; listen to nature who speaks to those who humbly come looking for answers.
During Paracelsus’ time, the early 1500s, he was very upset with what doctors were prescribing to their patients, which he stated were actually worse than the patients original problem. He also was very much against the apothecaries that loaded the medicines with deadly or life threatening ingredients and at the very least the medications caused all sorts of problems for the patient. It’s now the 21st century, I wonder how far we’ve come from those middle ages?
Throughout the years, The World Research Foundation has always tried to share positive and uplifting cover stories. But this issue is going to be different. We are absolutely shocked at what medicine has fallen to. It is not an art, it really is not a science any more, it is a deadly game of Russian Roulette! Why? Because we have now accepted therapies that are more harmful and deadly than the original medical problem that we had when we began the therapy. This is absolutely and clearly the fault of the pharmaceutical industry and its capture of the medical profession. I would now like to list some of the pharmaceuticals that are offered in our magazines and television commercials. Let’s look at what they are used for and what some of the side effects are. I will be taking the information directly out of their own advertising.
“ADVAIR: Does Asthma sometimes stop you? Advair, the first and only preventative asthma product…” Here are the side affects listed for this product for asthma: Some people may experience increased blood pressure, heart rate, or changes in heart rhythm… possible side effects from studies with patients, upper respiratory infection, sinus infection, hoarseness/voice change, yeast infection of the mouth, bronchitis, cough, headaches, diarrhea, gastrointenstinal flu, swollen glands, muscle injuries, allergy symptoms, swelling of the mouth or throat, agitation, vaginal pain, …” and more. This came out of Readers Digest, January 2004, pg. 11-13.
“ROZEREM: When you can’t sleep you can’t dream. Fortunately there’s a sleep aid like no other… Adverse Reactions and most commonly observed Adverse events in Phase 1-3 trials: Dizziness, nausea, fatigue, headache, insomnia, upper respiratory tract infection, depression, and more.” This was taken from Readers Digest, September 2007, pg. 19-21. It seems that these types of reactions are just as bad and will cause more problems then the persons original difficulty!
“PLAVIX, Help stop a clot before a clot stops you… Adverse events in Plavix Patients: Chest pain, influenza like symptoms, pain, fatigue, edema, hypertension, headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, diarrhea, nausea, back pain, depression, rhinitis, rash and other skin disorders…” This was taken from TV Guide, Aug. 27-Sept. 2, 2007, pg. 13-14.
This is just disgusting!
Why are the medications that are being offered to people with medical conditions exposing them to these potentially serious, adverse effects that will certainly mean the patient is going to need another medication for the new difficulty? And this perhaps is the reason why we find ourselves in the medical system that we have. More problems, more drugs, more MONEY for their products.
“REQUIP for Restless Legs Syndrome. Requip is the first FDA-approved treatment for RLS… Requip may cause you to faint, feel dizzy, nauseated, or sweaty when you stand up. Also tell your doctor if you or your family notices that you develop any unusual impulses or behaviors, such as pathological gambling or hypersexuality. Side effects include nausea, drowsiness, vomiting and dizziness. Hallucinations (unreal sounds, visions, or sensations) have been reported in patients taking Requip. Studies of people with Parkinson’s disease show that they may have an increased risk of developing melanoma.” This was taken from Readers Digest, July 2007, pg. 7-9.
“BONIVA; Builds bone density to help keep bones strong and healthy.” “Just one pill a month builds strong, healthy bones to help prevent fractures.” Now, let us take a look at their listed side effects. “What are the possible side effects of Boniva? Pain or trouble swallowing (dysphagia), heartburn, ulcers in your stomach or esophagus, diarrhea, pain in extremities (arms or legs), dyspepsia (upset stomach), mild flu-like symptoms… rarely, patients have reported sever bone, joint, and/or muscle pain starting with one day to several months… serious jaw problems associated with delayed healing and infection…” This advertising was found in Readers Digest, July 2007, pgs. 43-45. The smiling, well-known actress that is in the advertisement should be ashamed of herself!
Virtually in all of the advertising, whether it be in print media or on the television, we see the happy smiling faces of the people just swallowing down these marvelous products. But what is really happening here? Do any of these pharmaceutical products really address the cause of the problem? Or are these products just masking the difficulty?
The analogy that comes to mind is how someone might address a difficulty that shows up in their automobile. When a red light or symbol appears on the dashboard it is a warning that something is not functioning properly with the car. It is a signal that there is a problem that is on the horizon, if not something that has already appeared.
Someone seeing this signal might approach it in two different manners. One manner is to take the car in for service or to try to discover what the problem might be. Another approach might be to just ignore what is taking place. Just ignore the light or symbol and just continue to drive. An easy way of choosing this direction is to just cover up the light or symbol with some tape. We know what will happen with this approach.
This is what is taking place now in our medical approach to illness. These pharmaceuticals are not addressing the problem, but masking the symptoms while placing people at risk for additional problems.
The watchdog for our medical safety is the FDA. What are they doing in allowing this type of medical therapy? Is medicine an art, or is it more dangerous than our health problem?