A short history of medicine: "I have an earache..." 2000 BCE: "Here, eat this root." 1000 CE: "That root is heathen. Here, say this prayer." 1850 CE: "Prayer is superstition. Here, drink this potion." 1940 CE: "That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill." 1985 CE: "That pill is ineffective. Here, take this antibiotic." 2002 CE: "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root."