In 2022, medicine has not advanced past 1834 when general anesthetic was first used. Having witnessed a friend recently come through our medical system, I can personally attest that we as a society have gone back to the days of a slug of whiskey for the pain and a bullet to bite to withstand the mental anguish. They actually had a clinical professional tell them, referring to the discomfort of a procedure they were facing, “it’s only an hour and not that bad.” Hasn’t medical science the ability to conquer suffering? What is the point of modern medicine if it causes the equivalent mental anguish of the 1800s?Haven’t we progressed farther than that?
There appear to be four primary reasons why general anesthesia is used so sparingly safety, speed, cost, and convenience. Only safety is valid. Cannot that risk be managed? Why must the majority suffer? Should not the patients’health and comfort be the primary concern rather than the time, effort, or cost?
Modern procedures use local anesthetic which does indeed numb the specific nerves involved. This leaves the mind and the rest of the senses fully aware of what is happening. Basically, forcing the patient to bite the bullet and mentally resist the natural urge to struggle against the perceived attack on the body. Should the patient dare to express their discomfort and concerns beforehand and even during the procedure, they will be treated as a whining child and ignored. The patient is expected to simply grit their teeth and bear it.
Considering society’s rising concern for mental well-being, it is surprising that we have allowed this behavior to continue. Will we choose a slug of whiskey and a bullet to bite, or will we demand better health care for now and future generations?”
I will drink to that!