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Once upon a time there was a magic cave that existed right in the heart of a very large and populous kingdom. Though small and modestly
appointed, word of its magic had spread, and many came from far and wide, to see for themselves if what they had heard was true. For you see, in the cave dwelt two medicine men who had spent long years learning from
those wise in the curative arts, and from the ancient volumes of healing, and it was said that they in their turn, could now apply their knowledge to help others sick or in pain or unable to find a cure
elsewhere. As the years went on, the two physicians found that their little cave had become a minor kingdom within the Great Kingdom Outside (sometimes
known as the GKO) and they had become its rulers through the power of their physic. Unlike most rulers, however, they did not measure their wealth in land or cattle or soldiers or horses. Oh, they were paid certainly,
for their services. And the payment was enough that neither they nor their wives and children, wanted for anything. But these physician-kings measured their wealth above all else, in the numbers of people who came and
went through the doors of their little cave. What they cared was that those who entered, did so of their own free will. It mattered not if they had first come because they were curious about the wonders that took place
within the gaily-decorated walls inside. Or if they had come because they hoped the two could use their powers to cure the various and mysterious ailments that oftentimes plague the inhabitants of great cities. What
these physicians or shamans—or howsoever such people are named in other kingdoms of the earth—valued most, was the great satisfaction of knowing that once they had secured the loyalty of the cured ones, they had secured
it forever.It must be said, the two physician-rulers had a secret. Many of their rivals would have given much to know what it was. It was not a jeweled crown encrusted with rubies, emeralds or sapphires. It was not a
gold scepter or orb to be carried in either hand. It was not in shimmering raiment of silk or velvet cloaks trimmed with ermine. Their garb was simple. Their manner that of the common folk. They had neither airs nor
graces such as are worn by those born to rule. Their power came from knowledge. Their strength came from knowing how sickness of body may not be seen as a thing apart from sickness of mind or soul. Their subjects sought
them out because they could be assured that in the little cave kingdom, they would be welcomed. They would receive the succor they needed. Their names and faces would be known to the counselors and ladies-in-waiting who
assisted the physician-rulers in carrying out their duties. Best of all, they could speak and be heard when they told of what troubled them—the strange fevers and aches, the boils and rashes, the rumblings of intestine
and the rasping of throat, the pains of abdomen and chest that came only at night and went away by day, Most times the physicians knew how to set these maladies right. They could tell the right potion or pill to be
taken. They could judge when it was seemly to probe an orifice with one of their special instruments. They could offer words of advice or counsel patience when only time would heal the sickness. Sometimes there were no
answers even after all the great books of wisdom had been consulted. Then the physician-kings were humble and said they did not know. But one day, things began to change. Our physician-kings found their cave was not
big enough to hold the many people who wanted to see them. Also, the monarchs of the GKO that surrounded them, decided that it was dangerous for rulers of these little cave-kingdoms to have so much autonomy. New rules
and laws came into being. The monarchs of the GKO determined the price the physicians should place on their skills. They (the monarchs) also made it exceedingly difficult for the men of medicine to decide by themselves
on the wisest course of action for their patients. This came about because the monarchs of the GKO believed that in accordance with the Law of Nature, the stronger and more powerful ruler should exact tribute and
obedience from the smaller kingdoms within the realm. They said they were doing it for the greatest common good. The two physician-kings struggled valiantly with these new and confusing decrees. They still wanted to
offer their magic and their healing powers to all the people who had come to them for so many years. Also, to the many more who continued to flock to them because of what the made-well-again ones had told them. Alas,
it had become much less simple. The medicine men moved to a newer and bigger and brighter cave. They planted trees and put fountains of colored water outside to soothe the sick and ailing spirits of those waiting
patiently to see them. They hired skilled assistants and smart apprentices and an army of new handmaidens to assist them. They ran hither and thither at great speed to accommodate the ever-growing lines outside their
door all in need of their help. One consequence of the new decrees was that since the monarchs of the GKO now set the prices our rulers could charge for their services, they were paid much less for each person treated.
In order to cover their costs, it was now necessary to see many more patients in the same amount of time they saw only a few. This made neither physician nor patient happy. It had become imperative for both to learn new
ways of getting what each wanted from the other. Physicians because they were no longer sole masters of their destiny, and patients because they now had to learn how to make the most of their time with their physician
and not be disheartened because it was not the same easeful time of yore. In time, new machines were invented to ease these difficulties. Physician and patient could communicate with each other through wondrous
devices that demanded the mere click or press of a button. Words and thoughts could be exchanged in seconds, mysteriously appearing on special screens that were now common in dwelling places throughout the realm. Still,
many of the citizens murmured and complained. They said the counselors knew many things and the handmaidens were charming and kind. But it was still not as it had been before. There was too much to-ing and fro-ing, too
much bustle and interruption. They did not think their rulers paid the same kind of attention to them as they once did. Other citizens were more philosophical. If time and chatter were less, so was the fee now expected
of them. The magic did not seem unduly weakened. Old kingdoms give way to new kingdoms. Old ways of doing things must make way for the new. Our story is not over. But it will end happily ever after.
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Vera Mehta, Ed.D. in Anthropology and Education, will spend several hours per week mining data from the office environment. She will be
looking at medical attitudes in New York, from both the physician's and patients' perspectives. She may be contacted at veramehta@yafferuden.com |
