The art of medicine consists of amusing the

“The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease”. Voltaire Explain what this statement means. Argue to the contrary that medicine does in fact do more than amuse the patient. To what extent do you think Voltaire is correct?

Explain what this statement means • Medicine - science or art? • If an art, then this is surely for our amusement/entertainment • The doctor is the performer on the stage provided by nature • Nature controls science: this is the function of medicine • The process of healing is governed by nature

Medicine does more than amuse the patient • Whereas there is a fascination with the “dark art” of medicine, the reality is that it saves lives • Doctors have to make decisions based on available evidence, which may indeed be present in nature • The artistic nature of surgery is “icing on the cake”. Fundamentally, medicine aims to improve lives too

To what extent was Voltaire correct? • Medicine can be considered an art – why? Surgery for example, involves manual dexterity and creative thinking! • Is medicine amusing to the patient – are doctors entertainers? People are fascinated by medicine. Consider all the programmes dedicated to ostensibly inform us, but are also for entertainment value. Consider Moliere (La Malade imaginaire…. ) • Nature does the curing – true or false? Medicines are but synthesised chemicals. Many natural molecules found in plant/animal extracts are known to have medicinal properties. Also, certain naturally occurring elements and compounds….