I have an earache:

2000 B.C. - - Here, eat this root.
1000 A.D. - - That root is heathen. Here, say this prayer.
1850 A.D. - - That prayer is superstition. Here, drink this potion.
1940 A.D. - - That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill.
1985 A.D. - - That pill is ineffective. Here, take this antibiotic.
2000 A.D. - - That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root.

[Wed, 25 Feb 1998 From: Liz.Runciman@flinders.edu.au
To: Medical Libraries Discussion List <MEDLIB-L@LISTSERV.ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU]