Words we say and repeat without a real grasp of their meaning 🆒
Hi friends,
This week , here's what I learned in a flash:
Understanding the etymology of medical terms like "Médecin" and "patient" enriches our usage and comprehension of them,
Challenges traditional perceptions of medical care with the words, advocating for a more personal approach.
Let me explain a little bit more :
Last week, following my recent newsletter titled "Light Cloths, Light Problems," I received a message from a reader who recommended a 20-minute ARTE documentary named "Pourquoi a-t-on besoin de jeter?" In this podcast, a philosopher discusses our consumption habits. Interestingly, the documentary explores the term 'déchet,' which implies something discarded, no longer belonging to the real world. It also discusses the concept of 'sale,' illustrating that an object out of place is considered dirty. For instance, shoes aren't dirty by themselves, but if placed on a table, they become so. This extends to the concept of 'object' versus 'subject,' prompting me to reflect on the language I use. And the uderstanding of those world give me deeper knowledge about those words.
As we uncover why some blood appears red and others blue, I've become keen on understanding the deeper significance behind terms. Given that many of our readers are medical students, I've decided to share a selection of medically related words and their etymological meanings, to enhance our understanding and usage of these terms. As my usual writing is in English, and etymologies can vary, I'll refer to the term in French:
Médecin: From Latin medicus ("doctor" or "capable of healing"; "who treats, cures").
Infirmière: The prefix in- is privative, and the adjective firmus means "firm, both morally and physically." so infirmus means : not firm
Chirurgien: From cérusien, cérugien which is related to the english word serurgien, surgien.
Chirurgie: From Greek , composed of kheír ("hand"), and érgon ("work").
Hôpital: The name derives from Latin hospes ("guest"), which is also the root of "hospitality."
Patient: Derived from the Latin word patiens, the present participle of the deponent verb pati, meaning "one who endures" or "one who suffers."
This final definition particularly resonates with me, as it distinguishes between the one who suffers and the one who heals. This dichotomy underscores the reason patients seek out physicians. However, it also emphasizes the necessity of understanding needs of patients and reasons for their visit. Jerome Groopman, in his book "How Doctors Think," touches on this:
“Certainly the primary imperative of a physician is to be skilled in medical science, but if he or she does not probe a patient's soul, then the doctor's care is given without caring, and part of the sacred mission of healing is missing.”
Patient care transcends mere medical treatment; it involves attending to the individual on a more personal level. This sentiment is echoed in the film Patch Adams, where Robin Williams' character challenges the traditional definitions of patient and healthcare :
“I use that term broadly gentleman but he's not a doctor someone who helps someone else when did the term doctor get treated with such reverence as oh right this way dr. Smith or excuse me dr. Scholl's what wonderful footpads or pardon me dr. Patterson but your flatulence has no odor at what point in history did a doctor become more than a trusted and learned friend who visited and treated the ill now you.”
All these terms were created with specific intentions, and although some definitions date back centuries, understanding their meanings can enhance how we utilize them. Now that you're acquainted with the definitions of "Médecin" and "patient," I encourage you to interpret and apply these concepts in your unique manner. This knowledge not only enriches your vocabulary but also deepens your understanding of the roles and responsibilities in healthcare (that can be an hospital or your house). By comprehending the origins and implications of these words, you're better equipped to engage with them thoughtfully in your practice or studies, ensuring that your use of language is both informed and intentional.
I hope this gave you something to think about !
Julien 🍀
My Favourite Things this Week ❤️
Quotes: *Death is not the enemy and gentlemen we're gonna fight a disease let's fight one of the most terrible diseases of all indifference* Patch Adam, the movie
Note: I made the words research with Dictionnaire Littré - Dictionnaire de la langue française , Centre National de Ressources Textuelles et Lexicales and Le Robert