Medicine

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Medicine Med"i*cine, n. [L. medicina (sc. ars), fr. medicinus medical, fr. medicus: cf. F. m[ e]decine. See Medical.] 1. The science which relates to the prevention, cure, or alleviation of disease. [1913 Webster]

2. Any substance administered in the treatment of disease; a remedial agent; a medication; a medicament; a remedy; physic. [1913 Webster]

By medicine, life may be prolonged. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. A philter or love potion. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. [F. m[ e]decin.] A physician. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

5. (a) Among the North American Indians, any object supposed to give control over natural or magical forces, to act as a protective charm, or to cause healing; also, magical power itself; the potency which a charm, token, or rite is supposed to exert. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

The North American Indian boy usually took as his medicine the first animal of which he dreamed during the long and solitary fast that he observed at puberty. --F. H. Giddings. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] (b) Hence, a similar object or agency among other savages. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

6. Short for {Medicine man}. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

7. Intoxicating liquor; drink. [Slang] [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

{Medicine bag}, a charm; -- so called among the North American Indians, or in works relating to them.

{Medicine man} (among the North American Indians), a person who professes to cure sickness, drive away evil spirits, and regulate the weather by the arts of magic; a shaman.

{Medicine seal}, a small gem or paste engraved with reversed characters, to serve as a seal. Such seals were used by Roman physicians to stamp the names of their medicines. [1913 Webster]

Medicine Med"i*cine, v. t. To give medicine to; to affect as a medicine does; to remedy; to cure. ``Medicine thee to that sweet sleep. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Copyright Notice

to spanish

medicine [medsn] medicamento, medicina
medicamento.idoneos.com
medicina.idoneos.com

to french

medicine [medsn] remède
remede.idoneos.com

to deutch

medicine [medsn] Arznei, Medizin
arznei.idoneos.com
medizin.idoneos.com

medicine cabinet [medsnkæbin?t] Arzneischrank
arzneischrank.idoneos.com

medicine chest [medsnt?est] Hausapotheke
hausapotheke.idoneos.com

Bible Dictionary

Medicine
Egypt was the earliest home of medical and other skill for theregion of the Mediterranean basin, and every Egyptian mummy ofthe more expensive and elaborate sort involved a process ofanatomy. Still we have no trace of any philosophical orrational system of Egyptian origin; still medicine in Egypt wasa mere art or profession. Compared with the wild countriesaround them, however, the Egyptians must have seemedincalculably advanced. Representations of early Egyptiansurgery apparently occur on some of the monuments ofBeni-Hassan. Those who have assisted at the opening of a mummyhave noticed that the teeth exhibited a dentistry not inferiorin execution to the work of the best modern experts. Thisconfirms the statement of Herodotus that every part of the bodywas studied by a distinct practitioner. The reputation ofEgypt s practitioners in historical times was such that bothCyrus and Darius sent to that country for physicians orsurgeons. Of midwifery we have a distinct notice, (exodus 1:1)and of women as its Practitioners, which fact may also beverified from the scriptures. The scrupulous attention paid tothe dead was favorable to the health of the living. Thepractice of physic was not among the Jews a privilege of thepriesthood. Any one might practice it, and this publicity musthave kept it pure. Rank and honor are said to be the portion ofthe physician, and his office to be from the Lord. Ecclus.38:1,3,12. To bring down the subject to the period of the NewTestament, St. Luke, "the beloved physician," who practiced atAntioch whilst the body was his care, could hardly have failedto be convenient with all the leading opinions current down tohis own time. Among special diseases named in the Old Testamentis ophthalmia, (genesis 29:17) which is perhaps more common inSyria and Egypt than anywhere else in the world; especially inthe fig season, the juice of the newly-ripe fruit having thepower of giving it. It may occasion partial or total blindness.(2 kings 6:18) The "burning boil," (leviticus 13:23) is merelymarked by the notion of an effect resembling that of fire, likeour "carbuncle." The diseases rendered "scab" and "scurvy" in(leviticus 21:20; 22:22; 28:27) may be almost any skin disease.Some of these may be said to approach the type of leprosy. The"botch (shechin) of Egypt," (28:27) is so vague a term as toyield a most uncertain sense. In (28:35) is mentioned a diseaseattacking the "knees and legs," consisting in a "sore botchwhich cannot be healed," but extended, in the sequel of theverse, from the "sole of the foot to the top of the head." TheElephantiasis gracorum is what now passes under the name of"leprosy;" the lepers, e.g., of the: huts near the Zion gate ofmodern Jerusalem are elephantissiacs. [[855]Leper, Leprosy] Thedisease of King Antiochus, 2 Macc. 9:5-10, etc., was that of aboil breeding worms. The case of the widow s son restored byElisha, (2 kings 4:19) was probably one of sunstroke. The palsymeets us in the New Testament only, and in features toofamiliar to need special remark. palsy, gangrene and cancerwere common in all the countries familiar to the scripturalwriters, and neither differs from the modern disease of thesame name. Mention is also made of the bites and stings ofpoisonous reptiles. (numbers 21:6) Among surgical instrumentsor pieces of apparatus the following only are alluded to inScripture: A cutting instrument, supposed a "sharp stone,"(exodus 4:25) the "knife" of (joshua 5:2) The "awl" of (exodus21:6) was probably a surgical instrument. The "roller to bind"of (ezekiel 30:21) was for a broken limb, and is still used. Ascraper, for which the "potsherd" of Job was a substitute. (job2:8; exodus 30:23-25) is a prescription in form. An occasionaltrace occurs of some chemical knowledge, e.g. the calcinationof the gold by Moses, (exodus 32:20) the effect of "vinegarupon natron," (proverbs 25:20); comp. Jere 2:22 The mention of"the apothecary," (exodus 30:35; ecclesiastes 10:1) and of themerchant in "powders," (song of solomon 3:6) shows that adistinct and important branch of trade was set up in thesewares, in which, as at a modern druggist s, articles of luxury,etc., are combined with the remedies of sickness. Among themost favorite of external remedies has always been the bath.There were special occasions on which the bath was ceremoniallyenjoined. The Pharisees and Essenes aimed at scrupulousstrictness in all such rules. (matthew 15:2; mark 7:5; luke11:38) River-bathing was common but houses soon began toinclude a bathroom. (leviticus 15:13; 2 samuel 11:2; 2 kings5:10)
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