Chapter VII
Critics have theorized that ancient history is a
field in flux. In comparison with this
statement, the study of medicine in history has been in chaos! Hippocrates reputedly stated: “To know is one thing . . . merely to
believe one knows is IGNORANCE.”
Historians have long been ignorant of the
true history of medicine and ITS ORIGIN!
Apparently no one historian has grasped the significance of medicine’s development
in a time of worldwide crisis. Few
students of ancient history, if any, have seen the import of the supernatural
origin of this craft. The primary
reason for this lack of understanding is the rejection of the Bible as an
authoritative record!
The purpose of this thesis is to provide an initial
restoration of the History of Medicine.
It is an attempt to establish a more realistic history of the origin
of medicine!
In effect, this work has THREE MAIN POINTS: (l) Modern disease was a common curse in
the most ancient times, and as a result, medical practice was a highly
advanced art 4000 years ago; (2) The Art of Medicine was initiated by
one great physician, NIMROD, who was under the influence of a supernatural
power; (3) Medical practice was originated as a SUBTLE PLOT to momentarily
relieve mankind of the penalty incurred by sin.
Summary
It has been proved beyond any reasonable doubt that
DISEASE is and always has been a universal phenomenon. Disease is as old as man himself! The medical profession claims to be the
oldest known to man — and with reason, as disease was one of his first
major problems.
The work of numerous scientists in paleopathology
has presented the historian with an amazing picture of ancient diseases. The following diseases were cited: chronic rheumatism, periostitis,
osteomyletis, congenital deformities, all the modern dental ailments, smallpox,
bilharzia, plague, tuberculosis, anthracosis, pneumonia, pleurisy, Pott’s
disease, spinal meningitis, leprosy, diarrhea, amoebic dysentery, gastro
enteritis, cholera, typhoid fever, malaria, gall stones, appendicitis,
cirrhosis of the liver, tonsilitis, constipation, and obesity.
Even the most modern fatal diseases were found to
be common: heart and vascular
failure, infantile paralysis, and cancer.
Such a panoply of disease is AMPLE EVIDENCE that people
of ancient times suffered physical ailments as we do today!
A fully capable medical faculty existed 4000
years ago. The testimony of history
showed the ancient physician to be a professional man able to meet all the
contingencies of his practice in the manner of his modern counterpart.
The following advancements of ancient
medicine were explained: pharmacology
of Egypt, origin of accurate prescription, ancient anesthetics,
bacteriology, surgery, antibiotics, and the CONFIDENCE expressed by
doctor and patient alike in this system.
Medicine was a highly advanced art over 4000 years
ago!
The origin of medical practice was traced
through a maze of mythology and secular history to the early rulers of the
first civilizations after the flood.
The original great physician proved to be the Biblical
NIMROD! It was through him the “gods”
guided the development of that pivotal age in history.
Babylon was the recognized center of civilization where the
universal pattern for the development of medicine was set. Nimrod, the first man to exercise
world power, wrote numerous volumes on medical subjects. He is revealed to be the patron deity —
indeed, the FATHER OF MEDICINE — to all nations of the world!
The major point yet to be explained was WHY the
development of medicine was necessary at such an early age. Medical practice originated as a SUBTLE PLOT
to insure the establishment of a separate society. Medicine proved to be an essential tool supporting in the open
opposition to God!
Following the initial rebellion, which led to the
building of Babel, disease struck! This was the natural prophesied result for transgression of God’s
laws. Something had to be done — and done quickly! Inspired by Satan, Nimrod initiated the practice of medicine!
Conclusion
Medicine developed as a result of and in conjunction with the
REBELLION at Babel! The purpose for
producing a medical practice was to make possible a rebellion which led mankind
away from God! This is THE
SIGNIFICANCE, behind the origin of medicine in the early ages, which no
secular source has ever grasped!
Notice again the
Biblical warning — the cause for disease:
But it shall come to pass, IF thou wilt not hearken unto the
voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and
His statutes which I command thee this day; that ALL THESE CURSES SHALL COME
UPON THEE, and overtake thee . . . The Lord shall make the PESTILENCE
cleave unto thee, until He have consumed thee from off the land, whither
thou goest to possess it (Deuteronomy 28:15, 21).
In the face of these dire circumstances, Nimrod and his band of rebels
set themselves to oppose God. Their cause
was hopeless and doomed to a failure laced with suffering. It has been truly said, “There is no length
to which man will not go to relieve himself of disease.” But to no avail! The records amply demonstrate that the peoples of the ancient
world died waging an unending, unsuccessful war against disease — the same diseases fought today.
The Bible reveals medicine was not and is not the answer to ill
health. “Go up [as did Ahaziah] into
Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of EGYPT: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for
thou shalt not be cured.” For “thou
HAST NO HEALING MEDICINES” (Jeremiah
46:11, 30:13).
Considering the origin of medicine and its ancient failure, mankind
should reconsider the wisdom in its use today.
Traditionally, medicine has been used and needed by only those
in open rebellion to God, those perpetuating the civilization established at
Babel. Those ancient peoples
sought protection from God through medicine!
Is man seeking the same protection today?