Chapter+14+Education,+Health,+and+Medicine



Medicine – the social institution that focuses on fighting disease and improving health In the Pit of Despair, Westley gets his life sucked out of him by the Machine. Count Rugen leaves him after thinking he is dead. Once Inigo and Fezzik find him, they take Westley to Miracle Max. He makes a miracle pill which is supposed to bring Westley back to good health.

Health – a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being Before he was put under the Machine, Westley was perfectly healthy. He was physically, mentally, and socially well. After the Machine, he became ill and almost died. In that state, he was very unhealthy until he was given the miracle pill.

Euthanasia – assisting in the death of a person suffering from an incurable disease; also known as mercy killing When Inigo and Fezzik find Westley in the Pit of Despair, they find that he is almost dead. At first, they weren't sure if they could do anything to help him become healthy again. Instead of euthanizing him, they bring him to Miracle Max who saves him from death.

Education: the social institution through which society provides its members with important knowledge, including basic facts, job skills, and cultural norms Buttercup is not formally educated because she was raised on a farm. Her education comes from her mother and father in what she would need to know to be a lady. Prince Humperdinck on the other hand is formally educated with the best teachers to take over the monarchy.

Direct-fee system: a medical care system in which patients pay directly for the services of physicians and hospitals When Fezzik and Inigo take Westley to see Miracle Max they need to pay for the care immediately. They receive direct care that helps Westley come back to life. They pay Miracle Max for his help.

Functional illiteracy: a lack of the reading and writing skills needed for everyday living Most of the society is illiterate and does not know how to read or write. It was very uncommon for people to know how to read and they were often tricked. Royalty were generally the only people who were literate.