Abstract
To act, it is necessary at least to localize. For example, how do we take action against an earthquake or hurricane? The impetus behind every ontological theory of disease undoubtedly derives from therapeutic need. When we see in every sick man someone whose being has been augmented or diminished, we are somewhat reassured, for what a man has lost can be restored to him, and what has entered him can also leave. We can hope to conquer disease even if it is the result of a spell, or magic, or possession; we have only to remember that disease happens to man in order not to lose all hope. Magic brings to drugs and incantation rites, innumerable resources for generating a profoundly intense desire for cure. Sigerist has noted that Egyptian medicine probably universalized the Eastern experience of parasitic diseases by combining it with the idea of disease-possession: throwing up worms means being restored to health [107,102].1 Disease enters and leaves man as through a door.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1978 D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, Holland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Canguilhem, G. (1978). Introduction to the Problem. In: On the Normal and the Pathological. Studies in the History of Modern Science, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-9853-7_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-9853-7_3
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-277-0908-0
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-9853-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive