From: "Alan Cairns" 

I agree. But in the case of preemies, some do well, and it's hard to deny
treatment. Especially since you don't know which will do well. Though you
can be sure that the smaller they are, the worse will be the end result.

In the case of the terminal elderly, common sense dictates that you treat
whatever may be reversible, and leave the rest alone. It irritates me
intensely to see old ladies who are demented so they don't know where they
are taking pills to lower their cholesterol. Unfortunately, common sense is
not a universal quality in my profession (or, I suppose, in many others).



--
Alan
alancairns{at}dccnet.com

"David N. Barnett"  wrote in message
news:uh2ams8v1b86ukq0a03mk61n7f52kvh1vc{at}4ax.com...
> On Thu, 6 Jul 2000 12:12:30 -0700, "Alan Cairns"

> It does seem that a disproportionately large amount of money is spent
> on patients who have the least chance for meaningful recovery, such as
> very early preemies, and terminal elderlies.  I'm not sure that this
> is not a form of torture, for both the patients and their families.
>
> --dnb
>

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