Saturday, May 8, 2010

The Hippocritic Oath

It's been far too long since I last wrote something. I have been working on so many things these days. I'm preparing for a lecture, which keeps getting pushed later in the month of May. At this rate it will be June or July! It is as it is! That's how I see it. I'd like to start with this next piece to ease back into a more regular schedule. Pardon the pun.

I recently came to a realization while talking with my friend and colleague, Jamison Scala, Colon Therapist and Specialist in Blood Microscopy . The term "Hippocratic Oath" came up. I will reprint the modern version of the Hippocratic Oath so we can all look at something the people seeking to become doctor's and nurses are supposed to uphold as physicians. Here it is in segments, with a sprinkling of my commentary, weaved in and out. The fragmented oath for the purpose of commentary, will be in brackets.

[I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant: I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.]

So far—so good. Do they really honor those who have come before them? Often, we hear them say, "oh, that's old and antiquated. We have better techniques and knowledge, now!" Show me a more effective diagnostic tool than Iridology! Where the doctor once observed each sector in the iris and could determine a multitude of diagnostics and information about every patients health. A real and harmless tool. Lost and considered quackery!

[I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.]

["For the benefit of the sick"] should now read "for the benefit of the industry. I still believe there are good men and women out there, treating people with care and seeking health for their patients. However, the industry overrules or shall I say has a more overwhelming presence. As they do not allow for any other thinking or different concepts, which can and do bring about healing. ["All measures [that] are required. ."]

Well clearly that never comes into play. Seeing as though, when in the presence of most doctors, it's their way or the highway! Sounds more like a strict, conservative dad, trying to control his disobedient children.

["Avoiding those twin traps of over-treatment and therapeutic nihilism."]

Nihilism is based on the belief that life is void of purpose of reason. Or simply nothing. As in: to annihilate or make into nothing.

Where do I start with this? "Avoiding those twin traps of over-treatment and therapeutic nihilism." It seems to me, they are saying, quite simply, to not over-treat, with senseless medical procedures and medicine. As to "therapy someone to death." I know this is not proper grammer. I'm using it this way to make a point. All doctors seem to want to do is be salesmen for the pharmaceutical companies, ignoring this part of the oath, while constantly taking antiquated methods and sometimes barbaric measures to levels which are, in my "laymen" opinion, absurd, harmful and sometimes murderous.

Not that any doctor's intention is to murder. But the methods often cause death. This is a fact. I've watched many people die from the treatment. My grandfather for one. He was killed at age 59. He was given the medication his chart listed as: DO NOT GIVE TO PATIENT—HE IS ALLERGIC TO THIS MEDICATION. He as in for heart disease and died of kidney failure!

Here's another example told by the great and wise comedian, Henny Youngman: Guy goes to see a doctor. Doctor gives him six months to live. Guy can't afford to pay the bill. Doctor gives him another six months! It often feels as though the medication prescribed merely extends suffering, not the quality of life. It's as though, we've accepted physical breakdown as a matter of fact. We figure we might as well be treated for our illnesses and listen to the doctor. Ignoring the fact that we haven't given ourselves a tuneup or an oil change, or even rotated our tires. Another car care reference, I know. Just makes sense to me that we never even consider basic maintenance and then are completely reliant on a person who practices one method of healing, which really only temporarily extinguishes one fire and sets the environment for another to spark at a later date.

[I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.]

Yeah well, this one is full of holes. I disagree that there is an art or a science to medicine, anymore. Medicine once meant medical practice as well as the administering of drugs, for treatment. Which in some cases might be needed, if only to save a life. Our problem is we insist on making it a way of life, and not a means toward survival. Meaning, once we help a very sick person, instead of guiding them to a better way, a healthier way—the ignorant people of the medical industry scoff at the mere suggestion of diet change, acupuncture, chiropractic, therapeutic massage, or anything not drug related.

How do they tell people to stop smoking, drinking and taking illegal drugs, but suggest a lifetime of drug use, in the guise of health or healing. Forget most doctor's reaction when colonic hydrotherapy is mentioned. They become indignant or look at the patient with such incredulity, that the patient thinks he or she must be misinformed or nuts for even considering such a silly thing. This is seemingly the goal of the doctor, in these cases. To embarrass you into dependency on him and drugs. Sounds like the same thing that happens to folks with illegal drugs! If you've read my past posts, you know that colonic therapy began in hospitals and was discontinued when surgery, antibiotics, and chemotherapy became the rage! Why? Because there is more money in selling drugs, than in healing people!!!

["and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug."]

Now this is a very interesting piece—as this is what doctor's are supposed to uphold for their patients. Again, I must repeat. There are some wonderful people in the field. Some that truly care and want to help. Even if they are steeped in a method that poisons and provides an illusion of healing. However, there are far too many people in that field that are crass, arrogant, condescending, or even resort to belittling their patience for wasting their "precious" time on such nonsense as the above mentioned, alternative methods of healing, which do work! They just don't produce the same revenue as "MEDICAL HEALING." Or FICTITIOUS HEALING!

[I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.]

This is almost laughable! Mostly what we see is doctors never say I don't know, but instead blame conditions, which they do not understand, on stress. Stress is real and a contributing factor to all illness. Still, it's not a blanket answer for that which they do not understand.

["Nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.]

This is interesting. Most doctors now call in so called specialists, all the time. Through referral "kick-backs" everyone makes money. If I visit one doctor and pay him (insurance), then the first doctor sends you to another doctor, for his or her special talents. More tests are performed. Well, it is a performance, to some degree. Meaning, it all seems staged. The new "bedside manner" is crying wolf, as to alarm the patient, which creates fear and vulnerability in the patient. "Do whatever you think is right, doctor!" Is typically the attitude of the patient when the specialist reports back with "concern." This concern, after a battery of tests, is usually resolved with another office visit, more money, and a positive test result (meaning a good result). As in this scenario: "well Mr. or Mrs. Smith, it turns out everything is just fine!" Of course the patient is relieved by this news and actually believes that the tests were important and saved their life—when in reality, it was never being threatened.

As a car owner, I am to the mechanic as most people are to doctor's. Ignorant! I know where the keys go. Where the oil & gas goes. And that's about it. Oh, yeah. I know how to operate the sound system. This does not make me knowledgeable about cars. Yet still I can drive one. The more ignorant we are about human health. The easier it is for doctor's to send us running to save ourselves, when really, nothing is wrong. They're just running the meter. So to speak.

[I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.]

Doctor's are pretty good with keeping your information confidential. The second line here, is where my attention goes.

["Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God."]

Now this is a heavy topic. It is sad and unfortunate that doctor's are so callous and cold in matters of life and death. To them it is the reality of their work. Life and death are intrinsically linked. Yet, for most people dealing with illness, there is always hope in the family members of the sick. Some doctors seem to forget the human side of this reality. It is in their power to take a life, which is an awesome responsibility.

From my perspective, having lost a grandfather to poor care in a hospital. Where he was given medicine to which he was allergic. To the medical staff caring for my grandfather, it was a statistical fact of the day, of their careers, of any hospital. To us, this was a tragic loss. Some of the people on hand at the hospital treated the rapid demise of my grandfather as a matter-of-course. It is, to some extent. Yet, we lost a loved one. This is life at the hospital. Death is always waiting. Lurking in the, hopefully, distant future. Somehow, in the hospital, the risks are greater in meeting your end. This shouldn't be the case. Or is it me?

Every doctor should remember this part of the oath when dealing with people's health issues. Maybe doctor's wouldn't be so quick to dismiss and prescribe powerful poisons. I do see a small and slow movement, with a small percentage of doctor's who are opening their minds to some alternative treatments, which have been around for a very long time and have an amazing track record of success. However, most of the medical community have a vested interest in being right, not finding the truth.

[I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.]

This part is interesting. I believe most people begin their medical journey with this intention. Then quickly become jaded by the nature of their work, especially where finance, lawsuits, and insurance is concerned. The first sentence in the above paragraph is of particular significance. I feel most doctor's attitudes are in complete opposition to this concept. They don't see the forest for the trees.

They don't see themselves in the eyes of the patient staring back in fear, with hope and faith that the good doctor is of sound mind and body and will not lead them down a path of destruction. But instead a healing path/journey. The cold truth about being a doctor is—it is a job. Like any other. The doctor also has to survive. Unfortunately, most doctor's side with their salary and forsake integrity in respect to their profession and the very oath they're supposed to uphold. I feel for both sides. But feel that doctor's should default to integrity, not their own lifestyles!

[I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.]

Should I bother commenting on this? It is as though this was reversed or removed from the oath entirely. Truly, this oath has become nothing more than a formality. A symbolic ritual used to provide sufficient importance and dramatic "play" to the act of "becoming" a doctor. This is the saddest of all. Perhaps the only thing doctor's try to prevent is your mind from opening and expanding and finding less poisonous ways to heal yourself. Doctor's almost always frown upon all avenues of prevention. Especially the one's that work. Meaning the modalities that can actually heal are typically mocked or scoffed at by the medical folk.

Unfortunately, when we think about doctor's we convince ourselves that we are in good hands. That this person of science knows best and has our health at the forefront of their attention and care. In their defense, they do have many patients, for whom they have to provide care. This diminishes their potency, but also dilutes their spirit. Yet, if they followed this part of the oath, alone, I believe we would have a different world. One where pharmaceuticals (poison) wouldn't be publicly traded, therefore "pushed" on the patient! And prevention would be the top priority. Funny—build a beast out of a pit bull, then you must deal with a vicious beast. We created an industry out of healing and now need to feed it. The problem is, it lives off the sacrifice of knowledge, progress, growth, expansion and most importantly—HUMAN LIFE!

[I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.]

Often we are shown the utter pomposity of doctor's or worse yet nurses! When one enters the field of healing, they should know one thing. You have taken on a responsibility, which equals service. Service to others. Putting the art of healing first. Nothing else! Unfortunately, some of the people in that field exist above the common folk. With closed eyes, closed hearts and closed minds, they miss the very essence of their function—which is; to teach. More so, to guide the laymen/patient to safety. To health. How can we learn from overweight, cigarette smoking, arrogant business men and women? Where's the respect and admiration and honor in this important role in society? Do you want to see change? Well, change your participation. Change your habits and rely on them less for health. Become independent and self reliant. You will also tax our health care system less.

[If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.]

There are some wonderful men and women helping people in this industry. Doctor's and nurses do their best with the knowledge and tools provided. The sad truth is—like politics, most enter starry eyed and ready to change the world. After a short time, they're happy just to have a job to pay back the enormous loan for their education. I know I'm tough on everyone in the medical profession. Someone's got to point this stuff out. Change is needed. Change will come. Little by little and day by day, we change slowly. One person at a time. With every client I see and speak to, I try to impart and share my experience with them. I try to plant seeds. To show people that health is not only in your hands, it is your absolute responsibility. Which means to find the truth and practice that which heals and maintains health. Not the opposite. To take care of yourself is your number one responsibility.

A team is made up of individuals. Yet the individuals should never compromise themselves for the good of team. They should enhance and strengthen themselves for the good of team. Watching TV! Eating non-food! Justifying repetitious indulgence! Are all in complete contradiction to health and healing. Live for today and your tomorrows will greet you with health & wealth. Live for tomorrow and your today will slip past you and your tomorrow will be filled with the the agony and the ramifications of a life ignored. Live for all there is, NOW! A healthy now equals a healthy now, which equals a healthy tomorrow. The only way to effect change in others is to effect change within ourselves. We don't change in the future. We change now!
Be well,
Tom DeVito

2 comments:

  1. I sure wish I could read your comments. Please convert them to English. Thanks, Tom

    ReplyDelete
  2. Isn't there a language conversion thing that can be done after you write your comments? Or do I have to study your language? Ha ha ha. Please help!

    ReplyDelete

Please feel free to comment or ask questions or challenge. All is welcome. All comments will be responded to politely! Be well. Tom DeVito