CHAPTER LXXXIII 



WANTED THE UP-TO-DATE PHYSICIAN 



DURING the early history of Medicine, there was 

 a time, when the cause of disease was supposed to 

 be the entrance of an evil spirit into the body. 

 Once taking possession, the spirit run the ma- 

 chinery of the body to suit itself. The engine 

 usually jumped the track, sometimes ending in a 

 smash-up. 



Curing the patient was removing the cause 

 casting out the spirit. For this purpose came the 

 " medicine man." He gave the sick one bad tast- 

 ing and bad smelling drinks. This, he believed, 

 would make it disagreeable to the spirit, and thus 

 cause him to leave. He also made terrific hum- 

 drum noises to frighten the spirit away. 



Under this treatment, those patients who would 

 have gotten well anyway, recovered. Dr. Medicine 

 Man, with his assumed supernatural powers, re- 

 ceived the credit. 



At that early day it was recognized that the pre- 

 vention of disease is practicable, and by those in 

 good health charms were worn to keep away the 

 bad spirits, and thus prevent disease. 



At a later time, came the Miracle Cure. The 

 cause of disease was believed to be the same, but 

 the mode of cure had gradually changed. Priest 



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