Abstrakt
In 1850 Armand Troussan spoke of the fascination for the study of Medicine. In 1902 Sir William Oster determined the task of Medicine including prevention. 10 years later Rudyard Kipling in his "Book of Words" set forth a portrait of the Doctor.
In 1928 Sir Robert Hutchinson emphasized judgement as an inborn faculty, which may be improved only by general mental culture. Recently, the patient's right to refuse treatment has shifted to patient's right to demand treatment even through it is "futile".
Withdrawal of therapy has the same moral quality as initiating care. The nature of modern medicine is interventionist, but the society will be urged to consider the most effective use of its limited health resources.