The Concise History
of
4000 Years of Medicine
Circa 2000 B.C.
Patient: I have a sore throat.
Doctor: Eat this root.
Circa 1000 A.D.
Patient: I have a sore throat.
Doctor: Roots are heathen. Say this prayer.
Circa 1700 A.D.
Patient: I have a sore throat.
Doctor: Prayers are superstitious. Drink this potion.
Circa 1850 A.D.
Patient: I have a sore throat.
Doctor: Potions are snake oil. Take this pill.
Circa 1950 A.D.
Patient: I have a sore throat.
Doctor: Those pills are ineffective. Take this antibiotic.
Circa 2000 A.D.
Patient: I have a sore throat.
Doctor: Antibiotics are unnatural. Eat this root.
|