Drug vs Medicine
Drug and Medicine are often confused as one and the same thing. Strictly speaking there is difference between the two. Although a drug primarily refers to a medicinal substance, it purpose is different from that of medicine.
A drug is a substance that is often considered narcotic, hallucinogen or a stimulant. In short it can be said that a drug is stimulating in nature and purpose and it especially causes addiction. It is a normal practice to administer a drug into the body of a human being. It is also added to a drink or food.
One of the properties of a drug is stupefaction. It stupefies the mind. Hence one who often takes drugs is dubbed as an addict. Thus the word ‘drug addict’ refers to a person who is addicted to a narcotic drug on a regular basis. A drug peddler is a person who sells especially addictive drugs illegally. The word ‘drug’ is said to have originated from the old French word ‘drogue’.
The word ‘medicine’ expresses a preparation used for the treatment or prevention of disease. It is interesting to note that medicine refers to preparation especially the one taken by the mouth.
In the broader sense the word ‘medicine’ would mean the science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. It is seen as a practice quite distinct from surgical methods. Thus ‘a doctor of medicine’ means a physician who is adept in treating diseases by administering medicines.
On the other hand medicine does not contribute to the factor of addiction unlike a drug. In other words it can be said that a medicine does not cause the stupefaction of the mind like a drug. The word ‘medicine’ is derived from the Latin word ‘medicina’. The two words ‘drug’ and ‘medicine’ should be used differently.
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