Causality in medical science with particular reference to heart disease and atherosclerosis

Article Abstract:

Causality in medical science is important for the treatment and prevention of diseases. This may be easy to determine for infections since the physician just has to identify the pathogenic organism. The 'causa vera' or specific cause of diseases is more difficult to determine for chronic diseases such as arthritis and for those syndromes mislabeled as disease such as congestive heart failure. The multicausal concept as applied to these entities is self-defeating since it precludes proof of the role of one factor and deters testing of various hypotheses.

Congestive heart failure, Arthritis

---

Fashions in pathogenetic concepts during the present century: autointoxication, focal infection, psychosomatic disease, and autoimmunity

Article Abstract:

The pathogenetic concepts on autointoxication and focal infection, which developed in the 20th century, are discussed. Autointoxication by intestinal bacteria was emphasized in clinical medicine by surgeon William Arbuthnot Lane, who was convinced that various human ailments stem from constipation. Physicians Frank Billings and E.C. Rosenow believed that treatment of focal infection should be prioritized since it causes many systemic illnesses. Evolving concepts on psychosomatic and autoimmune diseases are also discussed.

Infection, Autoimmune diseases, Psychophysiologic disorders, Psychosomatic disorders

---

THE PLACEBO EFFECT: MOCKING OR MIRRORING MEDICINE?

Article Abstract:

The placebo effect, defined as a change in a patient's condition resulting from something other than the pharmacological or physiological properties of a remedy, is examined in terms of its therapeutic potential. In the final analysis it is up to the patient and the physician as to how they will implement it in the healing process.

Physician and patient, Physician-patient relations, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Ethical aspects, Placebos

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Reye syndrome surveillance - United States, 1989. Preventing heart disease in women: another role for aspirin?
• Abstracts: Changes in physician practice for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. part 2 Effects of simvastatin and cholestyramine in familial and nonfamilial hypercholesterolemia
• Abstracts: Ventricular arrhythmias in ischemic heart disease. Cardiogenic Shock. Radiofrequency ablation: a new era in the treatment of pediatric arrhythmias
• Abstracts: Body fat and obesity in Japanese Americans. Body fat, coronary heart disease, and stroke in Japanese men. Weight-loss practices of overweight adults
• Abstracts: Functional outcome of pathologic fracture secondary to malignant disease in a rehabilitation hospital. Frequency of the hypercalcemia-leukocytosis syndrome in oral malignancies

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.