Astrology at one time played a very important part in relation to human affairs. It was claimed that the sun, moon, planets and zodiac regulated not only man's life, either for or against his welfare, but the activities of these bodies were said to commence even at the very conception of his being. Each part of the human body was considered subordinate to a distinct sign of the zodiac. This is the basis for the use of the Sign of the Zodiac as illustrated in all patent medicine almanacs.

Between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries astrological delusions, or belief in the fate-determining power of the stars and planets, became almost a furore especially amongst the crowned heads of Europe. Notably among these were Charles the V., the German Emperor, Alfonso X. of Spain, the German Electors, the rulers of Denmark, etc., etc.

Pliny the historian tells us that Alexander the Great entertained an implicit belief in magic. The erroneous beliefs entertained by supposedly gifted men is readily explained in that they were the product of their own time, and could not be in advance of the thought and sentiment of their day, any more than can we be ahead of our own times in the same respect.

It is interesting to review the many practises and beliefs which gained credence in the days gone by.

The drugs used by the magicians, as remedies, included almost everything under the sun. Many of their extraordinary and abominable medicines were used purely for effect: their filthiness was certain to make an impression of some kind upon their patients. The viler the medicine the more likelihood there was of its expelling or driving out the demon or devil. It will be remembered that disease was supposed to be a demon or an evil spirit which had gotten into a man and must be driven out. This chain of thought carried down through the ages forms a link, and a very strong link, between then and now, and this idea is an inheritance of centuries of superstition and ignorance, and is responsible for the superstitious faith or belief which leads men to swallow millions of gallons of patent medicines, to wear electric belts, magnetic shields and other medical contrivances, the rabbit's foot, horse chestnuts and other amulets or talismans, which are supposed to exercise some special magic influence over disease.

Medical superstition, then, would mean the cure of diseases by supernatural agencies, by exorcisms, by mystic rights and ceremonies, by medicines, the viler the more efficacious. Some of the medicines employed by the magician were simply abominable, too filthy for utterance. Without vileness they would be inoperative; lacking in producing the necessary mental effect.

Through the middle ages the various plagues were supposed to be scourges of God for sin.

This is on a par with the belief in the wrath of God. One of the Church Fathers tells us that the reason why so many lepers and cripples were found among Christians was that God, enraged at the luxury of the people, had sent the evil demon of disease to afflict them.

The superstition of medicine has filled the world with fear, and to a large extent created ills it has pretended to cure. In modern times this superstition has been more particularly appropriated and perpetuated by the manufacturers of patent medicines, whose aim is not only to keep the people in gross ignorance, but to terrify them as well. Were it not for this combination of power of wealth and press, it might be possible to stem the tide of superstition by educating the people differently. To bring this about under existing condition?, one might as well attempt to swim up the Falls of Niagara, only to meet with an overwhelming torrent, sweeping him out of existence. Physicians are powerless in the matter, though they would prefer to see the masses educated to realize their superstition; yet they know full well that the idea of the curative power of medicines is inborn, and knit into the very fibre and being of humanity, and will remain so as long as wealth and press continue to broad cast and brazenly trumpet forth what is the greatest myth in existence - the curative power of medicines.

With the disappearance of this myth, mankind would become at once interested in learning the means - the only means - whereby health and longevity of life are produced, that is by an observance of the laws of health. But so long as patent medicines are so beautifully and powerfully exploited as curing incurable diseases, so easy to take, the only thing to do is to war it until the people find out that it is all only a broken reed.

It may be remarked, in passing, that physicians are here because of the existing condition of affairs, and not from any great pleasure or profit derived from the practise of medicine; many of them now realizing that their time and abilities might have been spent to better advantage in other vocations.

Many villainous attempts have been made to decry the doctor, than whom no more worthy or upright citizen exists; he still stands with honor in his own community, despite these spiteful attacks, and is likely to remain with us until humanity learns how to live.