The biting sarcasm of the 18th century <br />French philosopher Voltaire took aim <br />At medicine with these caustic words: <br />“Physicians pour drugs”, he said, <br />“Of which they know little, to cure diseases <br />Of which they know less, into human beings <br />Of which they know nothing”. <br /> <br />One can argue, of course, that since then <br />Medicine has advanced a great deal. <br />And, no doubt, modern doctors nowadays <br />Can perform miraculous operations, <br />And have a prodigious pharmacopoeia <br />From which they can choose and administer <br />A variety of wondrous healing drugs <br />That save many lives. <br /> <br />Nevertheless, Voltaire’s critique <br />Of medicine is still valid. <br />His claims are borne out by the evidence <br />Of statistics. Studies published, for example, <br />By the American Medical Association <br />Conclude that in the USA an estimated <br />12,000 people die annually <br />Because of unnecessary surgery. <br />Furthermore, over 100,000 patients die <br />Yearly in hospitals as a result of medical <br />Errors and infections, <br />And more than 100,000 die <br />Because of the adverse reactions <br />To appropriately and correctly prescribed <br />Medications. <br /> <br />This means that iatrogenesis, <br />Harmful medical treatments, <br />Cause an estimated quarter million deaths <br />Per year in the United States alone; <br />A number, which renders medicine the third <br />Leading cause of death in America, <br />After heart disease and cancer. <br />This also means that doctors kill <br />More people than cars and murderers <br />Do.<br /><br />Paul Hartal<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/death-by-prescription/
