Whatever happened to the trust the public had in the general
practitioner to have life under control, pain under control
and the ability to maintain the flicker of life in comfort
and more often than not, fan the flame so that each day has
some pleasure and enjoyment. I write not becuase some
mad-Shipman has rocked the boat of the medical profession
but because your leading article (BMJ: 320. 129-30 January
15th 2000) which could be considered unfortunately timely,
gives an emphasis on death which can only be described as
"unhealthy".
There are so very many positive aspects of medicine as the
new century begins: research which will bring benefits to those suffering
from all manner of diseases. Of course, we shall all die before the
century turns but do we really
have to undergo all this preparation for it. It seems to me
that things have moved on since the philosophy of Epicurus
and Montaigne.
If you medical readers actually take your death principles
on board and have their patients so prepared I can only anticipate that
this will do the Pharmaceutical industry a power of good in the increased
sales of antidepressants and increase the workload of Psychiatrists
unnecessarily.
Rapid Response:
A Good Life
Whatever happened to the trust the public had in the general
practitioner to have life under control, pain under control
and the ability to maintain the flicker of life in comfort
and more often than not, fan the flame so that each day has
some pleasure and enjoyment. I write not becuase some
mad-Shipman has rocked the boat of the medical profession
but because your leading article (BMJ: 320. 129-30 January
15th 2000) which could be considered unfortunately timely,
gives an emphasis on death which can only be described as
"unhealthy".
There are so very many positive aspects of medicine as the
new century begins: research which will bring benefits to those suffering
from all manner of diseases. Of course, we shall all die before the
century turns but do we really
have to undergo all this preparation for it. It seems to me
that things have moved on since the philosophy of Epicurus
and Montaigne.
If you medical readers actually take your death principles
on board and have their patients so prepared I can only anticipate that
this will do the Pharmaceutical industry a power of good in the increased
sales of antidepressants and increase the workload of Psychiatrists
unnecessarily.
Sheila Barnfather
Wolverhampton
WV10 0NP
Competing interests: No competing interests