Topic: Material Culture
Source: I have been using Neosporin on a scrape I have on my leg from falling on the cement last week. I visited the Neosporin website for information on their products and advertisement (link below).
Relation: This past week we have been discussing illness and inequality as well as development and its effect on different cultural societies. For this entry I decided to analyze Neosporin antibiotics as material culture and how it represents the access to medical treatments we have in our society and what that might
Description: The product Neosporin is made by Johnson & Johnson. It is a widely used, over the counter, first aid antibiotic that is most known for its fast acting care for everyday scrapes, wounds and scars. We have three types of this product in just my apartment, the ointment, the antiseptic cleanser, and the “NEO To Go!” mini dispenser. Last week while walking, being the clumsy person that I am, I tripped and fell on the sidewalk resulting in a large gash on my knee cap. My response to this was (after a few indecent curse words) to rinse out the abrasion and coat it with the household favorite antibiotic cream-Neosporin. It was this quick, almost instinctive, medical response to a somewhat relatively insignificant wound that made me realize that is more culture wrapped up in the popular Neosporin reputation than meets the eye.
Commentary/Analysis:
In the United States we have access to an overwhelming amount of over the counter medicine and antibiotics. When it comes to low key infections, colds, headaches, scrapes: we have relatively easy access to immediate relief. In my household, Neosporin is a favorite for anything that needs topical treatment, and with 4 active girls that means it’s used pretty much on the daily. We each have our standard ratio of Neosporin application to Band-Aid coverage as a response to most ordinary cut or wound after years of using the medical ointment. Meanwhile others in the world lack access to some of the most of these basic modernized medical treatments. This some what obsessive use of such a simple medical treatment I feel supports a correlation between inequality and illness present in our world. Those of use with access to almost any medical treatment, even those that are new and somewhat understudied, take it for granted While those who live in intense poverty and face severe illness without preventative care. And then to consider the basic medical care and health insurance that so many people, and their families, lack the access to… it seems there is an imbalance in our medical priorities. The use of antibiotic wound treatments also makes me wonder if there is a hidden side to the vanity that is often present in our society. What is this need to immediately eradicate any sized scar or blemish? Is this instant solution something we are hardwired to seek?
http://www.neosporinfirstaid.com/
Ruby, this post is awesome. You make some great observations about our society and access to medicine. It is so true that people that have access to medicine don't really realize how lucky they are to be in this group, while like you mention so many people go without, even down to the simplest skin ointments. I like your comment at the end, and yes I think removing scar, blemishes is a symbol of what our culture values. We value youth, we value vibrant, and we want perfection. Neosporin not only addresses our value of being healthy but has a cosmetic effect which we all desire, whether we realize it or not. Great insight and great read!
ReplyDeleteWow, I thought this was such a great topic. In Robbins text we just learned about the direct correlation between poverty and illness. It would make sense if someone who was to recieve a simple cutt become very ill because unlike you and your vast availablitiy to neosporin, they do not have the access to the simple antibiotic creams. When you state, " Those of use with access to almost any medical treatment, even those that are new and somewhat understudied, take it for granted While those who live in intense poverty and face severe illness without preventative care". This is true, with preventative care and aftercare. We have access to medications and shots to help prevent illness, whereas those who do not have access healthcare loose out on this. I really appriciate your topic and how you referneced neosporin as being a material in which makes up our culture and represents our access to healthcare.
ReplyDeleteYou brought up some really excellent points about the inequalities of medicine when comparing a developed country to developing countries. One thing That I have Noticed is people in developed country use medicines such as neosporin and hand sanitizer too much. We use it as almost a compulsive need to be 100% clean. While people in developing countries dont even have access to this, so it is an interesting thought that if they had access to it, would they use it as compulsively as we do?
ReplyDeleteAmericans have such good access to health care and medicine that it's as simple as making a trip to the doctor's which a lot of people can easily afford to do often. Getting sick or injured and easily being treated has become so innate in the American society that the most people have to complain about is how long they have to wait even though they made an appointment; meanwhile, in third world countries health care and proper medical attention is neglected completely or waiting lists offer slim chances of well skilled, professionally trained doctors. You're topic also led me to think about proactive and other skin care treatments that a lot of Americans use to clear acne.
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