The Origin of Medical Practice
A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Theology Ambassador College in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree Master of Arts in Theology
by Charles Sherwin McMichael, May 1969
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:
(1) 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.
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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?
