title: The ancient origins of oral pathology.
abstract: Belief in a golden age has provided mankind with solace in times of despair and with élan during the expansive periods of history. Dreamers imagine the golden age in the remote past, in paradise lost, free from toil and grief. Optimists put their faith in the future and believe that mankind, Prometheus-like, will master the arts of life through power and knowledge. Thus, the golden age means different things to different men, but the very belief in its existence implies the conviction that perfect health and happiness are birthrights of men. Yet, in reality, complete freedom from disease and from struggle is almost incompatible with the process of living.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Yaacob
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000266:history; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D001208:Asia; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000266:history; D005060:Europe; D005147:Facial Bones; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000266:history* / Q000662:veterinary; D010161:Paleodontology; D010164:Paleopathology; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000266:history* / Q000662:veterinary