What is the origin of the idiom "kill or cure" and when to use it?

The idiom "kill or cure" originated in the medical field, specifically in the 18th and 19th centuries, when doctors would prescribe treatments that were considered risky, but had the potential to cure a patient's illness or condition. The idiom is used to describe a situation where a particular action or decision has the potential to either solve a problem or make it worse. It suggests that there is a high level of risk involved and that the outcome is uncertain.