Scientists have always been skeptics when it comes to magic. We spend our whole lives looking at things objectively, searching for explanations and predictable outcomes. Magic is not explainable or predictable. That is why scientists are so cautious in taking it seriously. 

What we don't realize is that magic and science are so intertwined. Historically, alchemists thought science was magic, simply because they did not have the resources to explain the physics or chemistry behind their experiments yet. An alchemist explored the nature of matter, specifically seeking to transform old materials into something new, like lead into gold. This is exactly what chemists, including me, do everyday. I find it fascinating that the practice and exploration of chemistry was considered a type of magic at one point in time. To the onlooker, with no understanding of the inner electron movements, thermodynamics, or anything, chemistry seems like one big magic trick. Have we never considered that it was the skeptic scientist who is the real magician?  

Modern medicine is so much more medieval than we normally like to think. We always want to trust in our modern doctors, although not everyone does, but we look down on our ancestors who believed in their folk healers. I always think about how they used to "drain" someone's diseased blood when they got sick. Doing a procedure like that today sound ridiculous and dangerous. But, what else did they have besides this and belief? In a century, or even a few years, people will say the same thing about current medicine. It's all about who we trust and the resources we have access to. But, somethings will stay because it continues to prove to be useful. 

Autopsies are the most medieval modern healthcare procedure we still have today. I had the privilege to observe autopsies this last summer. Autopsies are absolutely necessary and educational to the world of healthcare and forensics. Regardless, they are emotionally the most unnatural and gruesome experience. The sight itself is shocking and feels inherently disconnected from the modern world. Sometimes I imagine medieval healers doing the exact same procedure. They were the most educated at their time, and I know emotionally it wouldn't have been any easier. I think we forget healers and magicians were just humans too, and their descendants living in the modern world aren't any different today.