Hebrew Tradition.
Aside from the rather indirect evidence as to healing practices in the Old Testament and later times, the Talmud, Cabala and other traditional writings give some insight into the ideas that are believed to have been current in those days. Tradition has it that Adam, during his last illness, sent Eve and his son Seth to the Garden of Eden to procure some of the oil of healing which he had learned to use in the treatment of seventy-two diseases that his sin had brought upon him. Noah also figures in tradition as a man who possessed many wonderful powers among which was a knowledge of the healing art.
Coming to more distinctly Hebrew names : Abraham, the Chaldean father of the race, is credited with the discovery of astronomy, the invention of the alphabet, the knowledge of magic and other secret lore ; and says Kohler, "it is related that he wore a pearl or precious stone of magic power on his neck, wherewith he healed the sick" (49, p. 87). The knowledge of this magic power, we are told in the same connection, is supposed to have been revealed to the sons of his wife Keturah. Joseph employed physicians and may be supposed to have had considerable knowledge of Egyptian medicine, as Moses, the lawgiver, undoubtedly had.
Solomon's is perhaps the greatest Hebrew name in the traditional history of medicine. Josephus (p. 593) in his account of Solomon's wisdom tells us that "God enabled him to learn that skill which expels demons . . . and he left him the mode of using exorcism by which they drive away demons so that they never return. And this method is prevalent unto this day, for I have seen a certain man of my own country, whose name was Eleasar, releasing people that were demoniacal in the presence of Vespasian . . . the manner of the cure was as follows : He put a ring that had a root, of one of those sorts mentioned by Solomon, to the nostrils of the demoniac, after which he drew the demon out through his nostrils, and when the man fell down at once, he adjured him (the demon) to return into him no more, making still mention of Solomon and reciting the incantations which he composed."
The lost book "Wisdom of Solomon" is said to have been a book of magic prescriptions, formulae, and incantations for the cure of all kinds of disease and was for centuries in great vogue among the people (17, p. 97). Another tradition states that "Solomon possessed power over demons by virtue of a talisman, which consisted of a signet ring of brass, upon which was engraved the most great name of God" (49, IV, p. 521). The Musselmans still revere him as the greatest of all physicians and no doubt many of the magical means of cure still used in the East had their place, if not their origin, in this now lost book.
The use of amulets has a history of several thousand years with the Hebrews, and it is believed that with them as with primitive peoples today all ornaments were originally amulets, charms or religious symbols possessing supposedly real virtues.
During the Rabbinical period (first to sixth centuries) they were used very extensively, especially by women and children, but medical men are also known to have made use of them.
Those inscribed with scripture texts, names and especially the mystic name of God were most highly prized. A peculiar design of a star in a circle with numerous sacred names inscribed upon it is said to have been designed by Adam. The Creator himself was believed to have made use of such means to perform his mighty works.
Although it is very difficult to know at what time such traditions as these sprang up, and although it is impossible to say just what were the facts if any which gave them credence, they are nevertheless of some value as evidence that in quite distant times many strange practices were made use of in the treatment of disease, almost all of which seem to lend credence to the view that underlying them was the disease demon theory and a belief in magic as the effectual means of cure.
Miracles of Healing
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By Charles W. Waddle (1909)
Primitive Christian Worship
Hereditary genius
