Medicine
All societies all over the world have had recourse to medical beliefs based on myth or superstition to explain birth, death and illness. Throughout history, diseases have been attributed to witchcraft, demons, unfavorable astral influences or the will of the gods.
Over many centuries, the advancement of knowledge and therapeutic techniques led to the development of modern medicine as we know it today. The first significant breakthroughs occurred during the Renaissance as a result of various essential discoveries (circulatory system, invention of the microscope, etc.). Then, starting in the 19th century, progress in chemistry and laboratory techniques brought about a veritable medical revolution.