Religious Animals by Dr Helen Bright

If we are to believe one medical regulator we can expect Saint Bernard (photo on the left)
on his next visit to the veterinary surgery to be tactfully offered religious services by his vet. Maybe, considering his name one would not have to tip toe about religion too much in fear of getting into any trouble with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

As Ms Jane O' Brian from General Medical Council, London, explained HERE tactful offers of prayers to patients are fine.

The fact that prayers do not work and doctors have to study medicine (and really hard) is just another matter of little relevance when engaged in chanting Wealth Mantra.

It is obvious why the gentle giant on the photo above is religious. He would not be called Saint Bernard if he was not. Does he worship? Of course! He worships his master. Are St. Bernards charitable dogs? Of course, and charities are named after them. Are they traditional? Yes, they are. They spent centuries in the monasteries. Please, click on the photo to read more.

Many animals exhibit compulsive rituals when distressed or under influence of drugs etc. Read more by clicking HERE. Regulatory behavior can be both compulsive and intoxicating. We understand this sort of thing.

Ms O'Brian from GMC Standards Department did not explain why doctors should not tactfully offer a placebo to their patients. Presumably, because insight is not required.
More HERE about placebo effect on the brain.

Religion, quite interestingly involves dopaminergic pathways in the brain (like cocaine, for example). There are fascinating genetic studies in animals and the whole new field of NEUROPOLITICS. Read more HERE and to the end of the article.

General Medical Council stated: "Nothing in the GMC's guidance Personal Beliefs and Medical Practice (2008) precludes doctors from praying with their patients. It says that the focus must be on a patient's needs and wishes".

Oh, dear. How many doctors are wishfully seen by their patients as praying naked with them, I wonder? Here is a simple Fertility Rite.

And, what about St. Bernards wishes?" Woof, woofWoof, woofWoof, woof Woof, woofWoof, woof....."

Having taken an intense language course from Dr Dolittle I understood this to be: "Look Dr, I do not want to hurt your feelings. I know you cannot diagnose and treat everything, but if I was that heavily into prayers right now I would know where to go. We, St Bernards have spent centuries in the monasteries already".

Well, I just had to ask Dr Felix to comment on GMC press statement as well because at Doctors4Justice we do care about equality, accountability and justice and we are not speciests. Dr Felix issued this statement while Dr Cat whose specialty is giving bad news (click on photo) was not available for comment due to his little trouble with medical regulator. He left toy mouse inside the patient during operation. The regulator acknowledged that Dr Cat's toy mouse was cute but they suspended him. As tiny tears rolled down his sweet furry face.....