Magic in Medicine

Charles Alston's mural, "Magic in Medicine," was commissioned in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration's Federal Art Project and completed in 1940 for Harlem Hospital Center. This artwork, along with "Modern Medicine," depicts traditional African healers and Black medical professionals in the United States.1

Historically, early medicine often intertwined with folk beliefs and magic. Serious illnesses were frequently attributed to supernatural causes, such as spells or malevolent spirits. Treatments involved counterspells, incantations, and potions to expel these perceived intruders or to lure back a lost soul. The use of herbs and other natural substances, often accompanied by rituals, formed the basis of early healing practices, with practitioners sometimes referred to as "medicine men" or sorcerers. This historical context highlights the ancient origins of practices like the placebo effect, where belief in a treatment's efficacy could influence a patient's well-being, regardless of its direct physical impact.23