So-called “orthodox” medicine is not entirely blameless in the growth of alternative medicine in America; it must be remembered that mainstream medicine was not always scientific! As Whorton explains, one of the principal reasons for the growth of alternative medicine systems in the 19th century was the regular use of calomel.
Prescribed by mainstream physicians for all sorts of ailments, it was promised that calomel would clear the intestines, stimulate the liver, and otherwise help heal the body. In fact, it was a mercury compound which ulcerated gums, took out teeth, and even destroyed jawbones when taken in enough quantity. Calomel made it very easy for many people to believe that “orthodox” medicine did more damage than diseases themselves and thus induce some to seek out alternatives.
Unfortunately, modern-day alternative medicine systems often aren’t much better than early orthodox medicine with its calomel — and when they are better, it’s only because they do nothing at all. Orthodox medicine has moved on while much of alternative medicine simply has not. Alternative medical systems won’t achieve any sort of official recognition until they manage to demonstrate scientifically that their treatments actually do something substantive. In many cases, that is unlikely to ever happen.
Nevertheless, alternative medicine will continue to play an important role in American society, not just in terms of health care but also perhaps in the path of American religion as traditional religious beliefs and alternative medical beliefs influence each other. The ultimate path they follow will doubtless be interesting, but if you are curious about the road already travelled you would do well to take a look at Whorton’s book. Well written and engaging, it is sympathetic to the concerns and goals of those who have developed and followed alternative medicine without pulling any punches when it comes to criticizing the many excesses.
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