What was the disease of the legs that afflicted King Asa?

What was the Mental Disease that Afflicted King Saul?

In this article, the author discusses the case of the biblical King Saul, the first King of Israel, who ruled the country 3,000 years ago. Evaluation of the passages referring to King Saul's disturbed behavior indicates that he was afflicted by a mental disorder. Among many disorders that could have affected the King, manic episode with psychotic phases, major depression with psychotic features, mixed episode, bipolar disorder I, dysthymic disorder later developed into bipolar disorder, or nonspecific psychotic disorder are the most likely. And among these diagnoses, bipolar disorder I is the most acceptable. The author suggests in this article that the roots of contemporary psychiatry can be traced back to biblical times.

What is the biblical attitude towards personal hygiene during vaginal bleeding?

OBJECTIVE

To analyze biblical passages associated with personal hygiene during vaginal bleeding. According to the Bible, a woman who is menstruating or who has pathological vaginal bleeding is unclean. Anybody who touches such a woman's bed or her personal things is also regarded as unclean and should therefore, wash carefully. Sexual relations are forbidden within 7 days from the beginning of menstruation and during pathological vaginal bleeding. Seven days after the cessation of vaginal bleeding, a woman is considered as clean, and therefore, sexual contacts are permitted. From a modern perspective sexual contacts during menses are associated with the development of chlamydial and gonococcal diseases, the risk of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus infection, endometriosis and subsequent infertility. This report indicates that the roots of contemporary obstetric preventive medicine can be traced to Biblical times.

Was the biblical King David affected by hypothermia?

BACKGROUND

The elderly population has suffered from hypothermia for thousands of years.

METHODS

This report analyzes the first documented case of hypothermia as described in the Bible.

RESULTS

The sentence "Now King David was old and stricken in years, and they covered him with clothes, but he gained no warmth" indicates that hypothermia afflicted the biblical King David, the second and the greatest of Israel's kings, who ruled the country 3000 years ago. Environmental factors did not play a significant role in the development of hypothermia. Among various diseases, the most likely to cause immobility and subsequent hypothermia are dementia, senile osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, and malignancy. Among these diseases, malignancy is the most likely.

CONCLUSIONS

Viewed by a modern physician, the story of King David unfolds as possibly the earliest description of a patient affected by hypothermia, features of which have changed little through the ages. This report shows that the roots of contemporary geriatrics lead back to biblical times.

What was the disease of the bones that affected King David?

BACKGROUND

Elderly people have suffered from pain in their bones, which may be associated with various diseases, for thousands of years.

METHODS

This report analyzes the disease that affected the Biblical King David, the second and greatest of Israel's Kings, who ruled the country 3000 years ago.

RESULTS

The sentences "My strength failed.and my bones are consumed," and "My bones wasted away through my anguished roaring all day long" indicate that King David suffered from osteoporosis, which affected his bones. Among the various diseases that may be associated with osteoporosis, the most likely are senile osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, or malignant disease. Among these diseases, the diagnosis of malignancy is the most acceptable.

CONCLUSION

This report demonstrates that the roots of contemporary modern gerontology can be traced to Biblical times.

What diseases of the eyes affected biblical men? A review of age-associated visual impairment

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

The elderly have suffered from visual impairment for thousands of years. This report evaluates the first documented cases of visual disability in the elderly as described in the Bible.

RESULTS

Three old men suffered from a gradual loss of vision. It is more likely that either mature cataract, or age-related macular degeneration, or asymptomatic open-angle glaucoma, or ischemic optic neuropathy or optic nerve atrophy were associated with visual loss. Corneal ulceration or scarring can also be considered. Hereditary causes of optic nerve atrophy and retinal degeneration can be excluded.

CONCLUSION

This report demonstrates that the roots of contemporary modern gerontology lead back to biblical times.