At the recent commencement of the Homeopathic College in this city,
Mr. S. H. Wales, of the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN addressed the graduating
class, and from his remarks, we quote the following:
"Many writers of our time persist in regarding this, above all others,
as the best period in the history of our race; and, doubtless, it is
true in many important respects. But I cannot forbear the suggestion
at this moment that there was a time in the history of the world
when the science of medicine was unknown, when people lived to the
incredible age of many centuries; and, even after the span of life
had been reduced to threescore and ten, sickness was comparatively
unknown. In ancient times, it was looked upon as a calamity, that
had overtaken a tribe or people, when one of its members prematurely
sickened and died.
"Other arts and sciences flourished in Rome long before medicine
was thought of; and the historian tells us that the first doctor who
settled in Rome, some two hundred years before Christ, was banished on
account of his poor success and the very severe treatment applied to
his patients; and it was a hundred years before the next one came. He
rose to great popularity, simply because he allowed his patients to
drink all the wine they wanted, and to eat their favorite dishes.
Some writer on hygiene has made the statement that the whole code
of medical ethics presented by Moses consisted simply in bathing,
purification, and diet. This simplicity of life was not confined to
the wandering tribes who settled in the land of Canaan, but was the
universal custom of all nations of which history gives us any account.
This simple arrangement for health was considered enough in those
primitive times, when the human system had not been worn out and
exhausted by depletive medicines. The luxuries of public baths,
athletic sports and games were deemed ample, both to educate the
physical perceptions and to prevent disease.
"All this wisdom, which had its origin in ancient games and sports
of the field, led to the erection of extensive bath-houses, and the
adoption of other healthful luxuries to which all the people could
resort to recreate their wasted powers."
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