Do No Harm.

[Loretta Ann]

First, do no harm!

What is implicit in this simple precept of medicine?

An awesome power - the power to do harm.

Who gives you this power?

The patient.

A patient will come to you at his moment of greatest dread,
hand you a knife, and say, "Doctor cut me open."

Why?

Because he trusts you.

He trusts you the way a child trusts.
He trusts you - to do no harm.

Sad fact is, human beings are not worthy of trust.

It is human nature to lie, take short cuts, lose your nerve,
to get tired, make mistakes.

No rational patient would put his trust in a human being,
and we're not going to let him.

It is our mission here to rigorously and ruthlessly train the
humanity out of you and make you into something better.

We're gonna make doctors out of you.

-------------------------------------------------------------

The above was taken from a lecture to medical students in the
movie "PATCH ADAMS."

[Raven(SO)]

Darlene..
who was in patch adams....was that Robyn williams...
he is a very gifted actor.

Raven

[Loretta Ann]

Hi Raven,

I don't know, that just arrived in my inbox and I passed it on, because it carries a message that I believe is true.

Darlene.

[Jassmine(SO)]

Hi Raven

Indeed that was Robin Williams. He is one of my favorite actors

*Hugs & Love*

[Raven(SO)]

yes Robin williams is very talented.... he was very good in mrs doubtfire.
Raven

[Jessie]

If there is any one I love to sit down and try and have a converation with Robin Williams is one those who is top on my list.



from the birdcage one of his great roles

[Jeanie-Marie]

How about Good Morning Vietnam?
Oldie but goody
Hugs Jeanie-Marie

[Jamie Ann]

Hi Raven,

I don't know, that just arrived in my inbox and I passed it on, because it carries a message that I believe is true.

Darlene.

       The film Patch Adams was provocative, as I noted is a discussion (link) more than five weeks ago. On the negative side, Hunter Adams (upon whom the film was based) did not have much regard for scientific medicine; on the plus side, he was someone who wanted to make a difference in this world — a liberal in the truest sense.

       One of the problems with blindly quoting material, not knowing the context or the original purpose, is that you are not in a position to comment intelligently upon it. The purpose of the speech with which you say you are agreeing was to dramatize the view of medicine Patch Adams was opposed to and wanted to change. That speech was a caricature of scientific medicine, intended to exaggerate its defects. While I have some sympathy for the position Patch Adams represents, I find it amusing that you are agreeing with a caricature that does not adequately represent either side of the issue!