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Antiquity|19
GreekandRomanmedicinewerebasedonthebeliefthathealthwas
astateofequilibriumanddiseasewasastateofdisharmonywithnature
andtheuniverse.Basedontheexperience,theartofmedicinewastiedto
existingphilosophicalcurrentsandtreatedasanaturalscience.Healthwas
understoodasastateofphysiologicalequilibriuminthebody,influenced
bypatients’habits,diet,exercise,rest,mentalwell-beingandtheexternal
environment.TheRomansatiricalpoetJuvenalisofAquinum(60-130AD)
usedtosayMenssanaincorporesano(“soundmindinasoundbody”).The
greatimportanceattachedtohealthisalsoevidencedbytheancientRoman
greetingformulainletters:“Ifyouarehealthy,thatisgood,Iamhealthy,
too”(Situvales,beneest,egovaleo).
InJudaism,theconditionforstayinghealthywastofollowGod’s
commandments.TheIsraeliteswereboundbynumerouslegalandreligious
lawsrelatingtohealthandwell-being.Amongotherthings,thelawsordered
theobservationofsignsofillness,undergoingritualwashings,andforbade
theconsumptionofuncleanfood,bloodandmeatofunknownorigin.
Sicknessandsufferingwereconsideredtheconsequencesofsinscommitted,
theymarkedweaknessesandfrailties(Ps107:17).Thepsalmsdepictedsin
asgravediseases.“Becauseofyourwraththereisnohealthinmybody;my
boneshavenosoundnessbecauseofmysin.Formyguilthasoverwhelmed
melikeaburdentooheavytobear.Mywoundsfesterandareloathsome
becauseofmysinfulfolly”(Ps38:4-6).Renunciationoffaithalsohadhealth
consequences:“TheLordwillstrikeyouwithwastingdisease,withfeverand
inflammation,withscorchingheatanddrought,withblightandmildew,
whichwillplagueyouuntilyouperish”(Dt28:22).Godalsobrought
deliverance,freedfromsuffering,andhealingcouldattesttotheforgiveness
ofsins.“Heforgivesallyoursinsandhealsallyourdiseases”(Ps103:3).In
timesofillness,allhopewasbeingputinGodastheultimateHealer:“Lord
myGod,Icalledtoyouforhelp,andyouhealedme”(Ps30:3).Theillness
wasaphysicalevilandrequiredtreatment.Bringingbackhealthdepended
onGod,who“created”thephysician,able,throughknowledgeandwisdom,
tobringreliefandcure.Godinteractedwiththedoctorandshowedthe
remediesthatworkedthroughHiswill(Sir38,1:15).
Godwasthesourceoftheillness,butalsothesourceofthehealingof
man’ssoulandbody.ManwasdependentonGod,andhealthwasconceived
astheplenitudeoflifeforces,arewardforfulfillingGod’scommands,
