A SHORT HISTORY OF MEDICINE

        "Doctor, I have an earache."

  2000 B.C. -- "Here, eat this root."

  1000 B.C. -- "That root is heathen, say this prayer."

  1850 A.D. -- "That prayer is superstition, drink this 
              potion."

  1940 A.D. -- "That potion is snake oil, swallow this 
              pill."

  1985 A.D. -- "That pill is ineffective, take this 
              antibiotic."

  2000 A.D. -- "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, 
              eat this root!"