I was always intrigued by the occurrence of its possible ‘cousins’, Temporal Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica. The only time during 40 years as a Primary Physician that my services triggered a thank-you note with the word “miracle” was the treatment of these two conditions: one substantial dose of Prednisone and wahlaa no symptoms. I always ignored the possibility of a placebo or Hawethorne effect given the immediacy and level of benefit that occurred. Of course, the ultimate reality is that maternal gestation involves a state of immune tolerance. Therein lies another enigma within our nation’s healthcare, worsening maternal mortality. It comes all together in the next two paragraphs.

Historically, the onset of the immune-tolerance concept had its origin in the late 1940s in England by a research tradition initiated by Sir Peter Medawar and his three brilliant colleagues. Their research eventually led in the mid-sixties to successful organ transplantation.

Finally, why is it that the occurrence of senile dementia seems to be radically absent within the Blue Zones where people frequently live, functionally intact to 100 years of age? Something about the COMMON GOOD and the traditions of their community would apply.