the cure is worse than the disease
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From Latin aegrescit medendo (literally “it worsens with healing”) attributed to Virgil in book XII of the Aeneid.[1][2]
Phrase
[edit]the cure is worse than the disease
- The medical treatment for an illness produces a worse net result than the illness does (or threatens a non-negligible risk of doing so), especially via adverse effects.
- (figuratively) The solution or proposed solution to a problem produces a worse net result than the problem does (or threatens a non-negligible risk of doing so), especially via unintended consequences.
- 2014-06-11, Robert Johnson The Real News Network:
- Regarding the repeal of the Glass-Steagall act and other repeals of financial regulations, or even in legislating new financial regulations, you have to be careful that the cure is not worse than the disease.
- 2014-06-11, Robert Johnson The Real News Network:
Translations
[edit]The solution to a problem produces a worse net result
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References
[edit]- ^ Fairclough HR, Goold GP (eds.), Virgil. Aeneid Books 7–12, Appendix Vergiliana. Loeb Classical Library, Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press; 2001.
- ^ Rubenstein, D.S., Holmes, B.B., Manfredi, J.A. et al. Aegrescit medendo: orthopedic disability in electrophysiology - call for fluoroscopy elimination—review and commentary. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 64, 239–253 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-022-01173-5