This seems to be in accordance, with the opinion of those modern Fathers, who consider the use of ether or chloroform, in obstetric cases, a point blank insult to the majesty of Heaven, because of the primeval fiat--_in sorrow shalt thou bring forth children_.
The race of Cyclops entertained a similar sentiment of submission, in sickness, according to Homer, Od. IX. 485. When _Oudeis_ (_Anglice Noman_) which always seemed to me an undignified pun, for an Epic, had put out the eye of Polyphemus, his roaring collected the neighboring giants. They inquired, outside the portal, what was the matter; and he replied, that _Oudeis_--_Noman_--was killing him; upon which they reply--
"If _Noman_ hurts thee, but the power divine Inflict disease, it fits thee to resign. To Jove or to thy father Neptune pray, The Cyclops cried, and instant strode away."
The theory was, that God worked upon mortals, by the agency of a great number and variety of evil spirits, or devils; and that the employment of remedial means was therefore neither more nor less, than withstanding the Almighty. Hence arose the custom, being supposed less offensive, in the sight of Heaven, of resorting to charms and incantations; and of employing diviners and magicians; and, as old Sir Robert Walpole is reported to have said, that every man has his price; so it was supposed to be the case, with those devils, who were engaged, in the system of tormenting mankind. Instead therefore of turning directly to the Lord, the sufferers were much in the habit of making their propitiatory suit, directly, to some false god, or influential demon. Of this we have an example, in Kings II. i. 2, et seq. Ahaziah, King of Israel, went up into his garret, probably, in the dark, and fell through the scuttle. He was severely bruised, and sent a messenger, post haste, to Ekron, to consult the false god, Baalzebub. Elisha, who, though a prophet, had no reputation, as a physician, was consulted by Hazael and by Naaman, about their distempers.
Enchantments, talismans, music, phylacteries were in use, among the Hebrews, and formed no small part of their _materia medica_. Charms were used, as preventives against the bites of serpents. "Who," says Ecclesiasticus xii. 13, "_will pity a charmer, that is bitten with a serpent_?" This seems not to have availed, against the deaf adder, "which," Psalm lviii. 5, "_will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely_." And Jeremiah, viii. 17, declares, that the Lord will send cockatrices and serpents, that will not be charmed, upon any terms whatever.