Prior to germ theory, [[science|scientists]] widely speculated that disease was spread by noxious odors.<ref>Prevailing Theories of Cholera [http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/snow/1859map/cholera_prevailingtheories_a2.html School of Public health, UCLA]</ref> As disease-spreading conditions - rotting meat, open sewage, and such things - was often highly odorous, the smell and disease were associated. Disease was also often attributed to [[demon]]ic [[possession]] – although demonic possession must be possible as it is mentioned in Scripture,<ref>Mark 5:1-13</ref> it is a rare occurrence, and almost all disease attributed to it was a result of other causes. | Prior to germ theory, [[science|scientists]] widely speculated that disease was spread by noxious odors.<ref>Prevailing Theories of Cholera [http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/snow/1859map/cholera_prevailingtheories_a2.html School of Public health, UCLA]</ref> As disease-spreading conditions - rotting meat, open sewage, and such things - was often highly odorous, the smell and disease were associated. Disease was also often attributed to [[demon]]ic [[possession]] – although demonic possession must be possible as it is mentioned in Scripture,<ref>Mark 5:1-13</ref> it is a rare occurrence, and almost all disease attributed to it was a result of other causes. |