title: [The Janus face of medicine].
abstract: Since antiquity medicine has repeatedly been accused of being noxious (or ineffective). Physicians have always admitted that their art-because of its efficacy-could be dangerous. Lack of success or unwanted effects stimulate research in quest of a better definition of efficacy and to improve safety. In practice, however, it is necessary to act here and now, by the available means, hopefully in line with Hippocrates' precaution, <<to help, or at least to do no harm>>.
authors.affiliation: Medizinhistorisches Institut der Universität Bern.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Boschung
mesh_terms: D005060:Europe; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000266:history*; D009626:Terminology as Topic
vernacular_title: Vom Janusgesicht der Medizin.