In the ancient world, dogs were thought to have knowledge of medicine. It was noted that dogs elevate an injured leg, just like Hippocrates (the father of medicine) prescribed for injured limbs. And dogs know to lick their wounds to ensure they will remain clean and to speed healing. As a result, dogs were featured in the temples of Asclepius (the god of medicine in ancient Greece), to help heal visitors by licking wounded areas. This ability is also recounted in the New Testament parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke, where the lesions of Lazarus were licked by dogs. And the ancients saw dogs eating grass when they had an upset stomach, which most dog owners today have observed. So besides being your best friend, dogs can help you get better! Next: Dogs in Space.
