Amulets, Charms, Talismans, Magic Formula, etc..
In his study of the history of medicine Berdoe (4, p. 247) comes to the conclusion that, "in the ancient world as well as with savages, the whole art of medicine was in many cases the art of preparing amulets and charms." These things either cause, prevent, or cure disease according to the method of their employment ; all are based on a conception of a supernatural origin of disease; and all depend for their success, where they have any, upon their effect upon the mind of the person invoking their aid.
Erdman (34, p. 353) tells us that in ancient Egypt, men and even the gods, "wore amulets as a protection, and used magical formulae to constrain each other." The dead wore amulets against the evils of the next world as the living against those of the present. Certain objects were given lasting magical power by having a formula recited over them, and as of old the modern Egyptian wears amulets and written charms and puts great faith in the magical preparations of the higher theurgy.
Quackery and sympathetic cures by means of amulets, magic words, laying on of hands, symbolic washings and the like were very common in ancient Greece. In Chaldea one of the infallible cures was a charm knotted with seven knots which was bound to the patient who was then sprinkled with holy water. Throughout all their history, astrology, charms, amulets, and characts enter largely into Chinese and Japanese practice. "There is scarcely a disease," says Pettegrew (68, p. 78), "for which a charm has not been given." In the early Christian centuries Gnosticism was responsible for the introduction of many wonder-working charms and amulets. Some of the old Anglo-Saxon monks made use of amulets and their countrymen have never ceased to do the same.
The most scientific men of Greece and other countries of antiquity were unable to free themselves entirely from a superstitious faith in magic formulae. Even Galen the great Greek medical reformer and authority of the second century A. D. did homage to incantations, having been convinced against his previous conviction that "many of them are excellent severally and they reach their mark." But there were fine distinctions even in his day for he denounced Pamphilos for using incantations "not merely useless, not merely unprofessional, but all false. " (4, p. 253.)
Erdman (34, p. 353) states that "the belief that (4, p. 253.) Erdman (34, p. 353) states that "the belief that there were words and actions by which they could produce an effect on the powers of nature, upon every living being, upon animals, and even upon gods, was indissolubly connected with all the actions of the Egyptians." The formulae used by the magicians were believed to be revelations from the gods themselves. They were made up wholly or in part of words from some foreign tongue or of a meaningless jargon, and the more mysterious and difficult of understanding they were the greater their power was thought to be. Written words were by man of the peoples of the olden times believed to have magic power.
In Egypt even to the present time pieces of paper inscribed with texts from the Koran are swallowed and beneficial results are fully expected. In many places magic formulae are written on pieces of wood or slate which are then washed with water and the water used as a powerful medicine. Some of the Jews believed that Jesus had learned the Mirific WORD (true pronunciation of the word Jehovah) and by its use was able to cure diseases. The early Christian church opposed these superstitions; but so deep seated was the faith in them among her converts that the best that could be done was to substitute Christian names for heathen ones and allow their use to be continued. Peters (67, p. 163) tells us that in the folk-medicine of Germany very many cures are yet made by magic formulae; and that in many parts of the country "Besprechen and Stillen" are means of healing which the inhabitants still prefer, in cases of sickness, to the help of a physician.
Miracles of Healing
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By Charles W. Waddle (1909)
Primitive Christian Worship
Hereditary genius
