PRIMUN NON NOCERE = First, do no harm,

[ronn]

"First, Do no harm" is the Latin version of a Greek directive which has been taught to medical students around the world since the time of Hippocrates. In English the verb "Do", means to take action. "Harm" means anything detrimental to the patient. In HIPPOCRATES'' DAY, phlebotomy (blood letting) was the accepted cure for many of the short list of common illnesses or injures which were known and treated.. In the PRESENT DAY the modern doctor has many more decisions to make and factors to consider. He/she is expected to know the patient's history, make diagnosis, (which he/she postpones by ordering tests), provide, from his detailed, yet often incomplete information on symptoms and medicines, make a diagnosis that is 100% correct. Is it any wonder that doctors hesitate to diagnose a patient knowing that the diagnosis, right or wrong, will be available to patients, employers and lawyers and follow them forever?