Aristotle said, “Other things being equal, the simplest hypothesis possible is the good principle”. William Ockham said when distinguishing between two hypotheses, to “shave away” unnecessary assumptions or “cut apart” two similar conclusions, and favor the hypotheses with the fewest assumptions. Theodore Woodward said, “When you hear hoof beats, think of horses not zebras”, meaning the most obvious diagnosis is the most likely. In more recent times, Hickam’s dictum said, “A man can have as many diseases as he damn well pleases.” Medicine today seems to favor Hickam’s dictum.
The infinite naming of diseases, based on descriptions, observations, findings, symptoms, and constellations of symptoms, rather than the cause of a disease, has created and explosion of diseases of unknown cause; and contributed to a lack of understanding as to the causes of chronic diseases, and failure to recognize the connection between presenting chronic diseases and co-morbid conditions.
A better understanding of chronic disease starts with an open mind, and testing chronic disease patients for infectious pathogens, using modern diagnostic tools.
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