You Treat aPerson (from Patch Adams )

Script:

Dean Anderson: You've been accused of practicing medicine without alicense. That's a very grave charge, son. Are you aware that it's unlawful to practice medicine without a medical license?

Adams: Yes, sir, I am.

Dean Anderson: Are you aware that running a medical clinic without the proper licensing can place both you and the public in a great deal of danger?

Adams: Is a home a clinic, sir?

Dean Walcott: If you are admitting patients and treating them, physical location is irrelevant.

Adams: Sir, will youde fine treatment for me?

Dean Anderson: Yes. Treatment would be defined as the care of a patient seeking medical attention. Have you been treating patients, Mr. Adams?

Adams: Well sir, I live with several people. They come and go as they please. I offer them whatever help I can.

Dean Anderson: Mr. Adams, have you or have you not been treating patients at your ranch?

Adams: Everyone who comes to the ranch is a patient, yes. And every person who comes to the ranch is also a doctor.

Dean Anderson: I'm sorry?

Adams: Every person who comes to the ranch is in need of some form of physical or mental help. They're patients. But also every person who comes to the ranch is in charge of taking care of someone else—whether it's cooking for them, cleaning them, or even as simple a  task as listening. That makes them doctors. I use that term broadly, gentlemen, but is not a doctor someone who helps someone else? When did the term “doctor” get treated with such reverence, as, “Right this way, Doctor Smith,” or, “Excuse me, Doctor Scholl, what wonderful footpads” or,“Pardon me, Doctor 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 ask me if I've been practicing medicine. Well, if this means opening your door to those inneed—those in pain—caring for them, listening to them, applying a cold cloth until a fever breaks—if this is practicing medicine, if this is treating apatient, then I am guilty as charged,sir.

Dean Anderson: Did you consider the ramifications of your actions? What if one of your patients had died?

Adams: What’s wrong with death, sir? What are we so mortally afraid of? Why can’t we treat death with a certain amount of humanity and dignity and decency, and, God forbid, maybe even humor? Death is not the enemy, gentlemen. If we’re gonna fight a disease, let’s fight one of the most terrible diseases of all—indifference. Now, I’ve sat inyour schools and heard people lecture on transference, and professional distance. Transference is inevitable, sir. Every human being has an impact on another. Why don’t we want that in a patient/doctor relationship?That’s why I’ve listened to your teachings, and I believe they’re wrong. Adoctor’s mission should be not just to prevent death, but also to improve the quality oflife. That’s why you treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you win.