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The Bleeding Cure
NMB, Florida October 24, 2001 A.H. Schectman
THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on Issues, Ideas and Reflections on the Times. Published Now and
Then. Opinions Pro or Con Are Welcome.
THE BLEEDING CURE
Some things make me think of other things. In reading the marvelous
biography of John Adams, the famous Dr. Rush an important figure in the
American Revolution, was described as devoted to bleeding or "purging" his
patients of bad humors - that he believed were the cause of illness. This
put me in mind of the results of war - a tremendous amount of bloodletting
is resorted to in the name of bringing about peace or making the world well.
I do not like the sight of blood in others or in myself. I handle the cuts
and scrapes I get fairly well and am good at first aid for others if I am on
the spot. Dr. Rush brought his lancet with him to cure headaches, stomach
aches and other assorted fevers and just plain illness. The idea was that
there were not only bad humors in the bodies of his patients but also there
was an excess of blood. Drawing off a pint or so made the patient feel
lightheaded and thus, better. We know better today although I read
somewhere that the use of leeches was coming back because they are efficient
in extracting infections in our blood.
War causes a tremendous amount of bloodletting. It doesn't make us feel
better although when the blood is the blood of our enemies it is better than
having our life force drawn from us. America has suffered a bloody nose
caused by stealthy fifth columnists who were allowed like our immigrant
ancestors to freely come here. We have answered by sending a huge force to
wage war on the home ground of those who "harbor" the guilty who have
injured us. We are making them bleed.
There are other kinds of bloodletting - of the bloodless sort. I am put in
mind of the draining of wealth that is brought about by the destruction
caused by war. Not only was our financial center destroyed in the September
11th attack but the funds invested in our industrial and commercial
enterprises were drained away in frantic speculation that the sky was
falling and selling off was the best response. A consequence of the panic
of the buyers and sellers of wealth trying to make a profit out of the
madness of war brought to our shores - your money, my money - your blood and
my blood were introduced to the bleeding cure. What do you think?
Carol's Evaluation: 10 out of 10.
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