Abstract
Pain has always been part of our shared human experience, with complete congenital insensitivity to pain a rare phenomenon. For hundreds of years remedies have been sought and potions used, seeking to relieve pain, and its attendant suffering. The experience of pain is subjective, individual and private, and has been reflected and portrayed in works both of literature and art, from ancient civilisations to the present day. Historically it has been a subject for enquiry by diverse disciplines, philosophers, theologians, social anthropologists, physicians and in more recent years, nurses.
For the happiness mankind gain
Is not in pleasure, but in rest from pain.
John Dryden (1631–1700)
Only pain is real, I’m not frightened to die, but for me pain is the only reality.
Woman 42 years old, Carcinoma breast with secondaries (1980)
Look at me, I’ve lost so much weight, I’m in so much pain, that even the pillows hurt me now — I need you to understand.
Man 56 years old, Carcinoma tongue with secondaries (1980)
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References
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© 1987 The Authors and the Contributors
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Raiman, J. (1987). Pain. In: Essentials of Nursing. The Essentials of Nursing. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-09482-0_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-09482-0_5
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