Foreign Invasions & Civil Wars
How Our Medical System Treats Diseases
⚠️Warning — I have zero training in medicine, surgery or health. These are, very much, the ramblings and reflections of a layperson. Please read this article with that in mind.
The world of medicine, particularly in the Cultural West, can be seen as a battleground where diseases are the enemies, and medical and surgical interventions are the military strategies used to combat them.
This essay draws parallels between how Western medicine approaches infectious diseases, akin to a state dealing with a foreign invasion, and how it handles chronic diseases, comparable to a state struggling with a home-grown civil war.
The Foreign Invasion
1. Identification of the Enemy
Just as a state quickly identifies and understands a foreign invader, Western medicine excels in diagnosing infectious diseases. Advanced technologies allow for rapid identification of pathogens, which is crucial for effective treatment.
2. Mobilization of Defense
In response to an invasion, a state mobilizes its military. Similarly, Western medicine employs a range of antimicrobial drugs like antibiotics, antivirals, and vaccines, and advanced surgical techniques, acting as specialized troops to target and eliminate the invading pathogens.
3. Strategic Intervention
A state employs specific military strategies against invaders. In medicine, treatments are targeted; for instance, antibiotics are chosen based on the type of bacteria causing the infection, akin to choosing the right weapons for the enemy.
4. Resource Allocation
Just as resources are allocated for defense in a war, significant resources are invested in research and development of new drugs and treatments for infectious diseases, ensuring a robust arsenal against these external threats.
5. Restoration and Prevention
Post-invasion, a state works on fortifying its borders. Similarly, after treating infectious diseases, Western medicine focuses on prevention through vaccinations and public health policies, much like reinforcing national defense.
The Civil War
1. Complex Internal Dynamics
A civil war is marked by complex internal conflicts. Chronic diseases, often involving multiple systems in the body, present a similar complexity that is difficult to address with a one-size-fits-all approach.
2. Difficulties in Identification and Management
Just as a state may struggle to identify and manage rebel factions, medical practitioners often find it challenging to pinpoint the exact causes of chronic diseases and to develop effective long-term management strategies. Often the civil war has begun years before there are any symptoms of it.
3. Resource Misallocation
In a civil war, resources can be misallocated and are often insufficient. In the realm of chronic diseases, there’s often a lack of comprehensive treatment plans that consider the multifaceted nature of these conditions, leading to inadequate management.
4. Collateral Damage
Civil wars cause significant collateral damage to infrastructure and citizens. In chronic disease management, long-term medication use can lead to side effects and a decreased quality of life, resembling the collateral damages of a civil conflict.
5. Lack of Final Resolution
Civil wars rarely end with a clear victory. Usually, there are no winners — only losers of various degrees. Similarly, chronic diseases often have no definitive cure, leading to ongoing battles that require continuous adjustment of strategies and treatments.
Concluding Caveats
Please note that my metaphor is rather simplistic and incomplete. Also, like many military conflicts, many diseases are a combination of foreign invasion and civil war. Often, the foreign invasion is successfully dealt with, but the ensuing civil war lasts decades.
And just as it is common to repeat medical advice, let me repeat my opening disclaimer: “I have zero training in medicine, surgery or health. These are, very much, the ramblings and reflections of a layperson.”.
