Diseases are invisible. Issue 2 (1st December 2002)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fredriksen, S
• Is Part Of: Medical humanities. Volume 28:Issue 2(2002)
• Page Start: 71
• Page End: 73
• Publication Date: 2002-12-01
• Subjects: modern medicine -- history -- philosophy -- stethoscope -- technology; Medicine and the humanities -- Periodicals; Medical ethics -- Periodicals; 616.1
• DOI: 10.1136/mh.28.2.71
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1468-215X

Abstract

Abstract : The success of modern medicine is closely related to its ability to transcend the human senses. Technological advances such as stethoscopes, microscopes, and x rays overstep the boundaries of human perception. They enable us to see what is invisible to the unaided senses. These technologies have brought about fundamental changes to medicine—for the most part for the better. But they have also caught us in a tragic trap. They have left us in an odd position where we can no longer trust our senses concerning the health status of our body. Sense transcending technologies have made us aware that we can have a serious disease without experiencing any symptoms at all. In order to benefit from these technologies, we have to live with inescapable side effects.