1 . Reasonable people should not have blind faith in the medical profession.     1     We have to check out the medicine we take. We have to ask for second and even third opinions. We must do some research. We have to use our common sense and be informed about our health care.

While it is true that modern Western medicine has risks, we shouldn’t reject it totally.     2     Most people who get good medical care are healthier and live longer.

If this is the case why has “alternative” health care become so popular in North America and Europe? Often the fear of surgery motivates people to look for these alternatives. Many people think that these treatments will help even when the situation seems hopeless to Western doctors.     3     Surgeons perform dangerous surgery, but natural healers (治疗师) do not seem to give dangerous treatments. People don’t think alternative care would kill anyone by mistake.     4     No one wants to go to a doctor in a cold hospital clinic. Since some doctors don’t have a nice “bedside manner”, people like the attention they get from alternative healers.

    5     All doctors and healers are human beings who can make mistakes. They can miss things and waste valuable time. No matter what happens, we have to think about all of the different options. Remember, there are millions of patients who are alive and well today because of “conventional” Western medicine.