How far back in time does the concept of healing and illness go? Who or what causes disease, and how does the sick person get well? Do these ancient therapeutic ideas and activities have any validity in our world today? These are some of the questions posed by physician artist Dr. Christi Bonds Garrett in the exhibit she had titled Ghost Medicine.

The Shang Empire (pre 1122 B.C.) was the first Chinese dynasty to leave evidence of therapeutic activity based on general concepts of illness and disease. Illness was caused by dead ancestors, who ruled the world but were dependent upon the living for provisions. One communicated with them through the use of tortoise shell oracle bones and made regular offerings to their altars.

Illness was also caused by evil Wind, which could be subdued only by the Wu-shamans, who used the 13 Ghost points in the original form of acupuncture. Finally, illness could also be intentionally caused by living persons in a ritual known as Ku (worm spirit).

Dr. Bonds Garrett is trained in both Family Practice as well as Medical Acupuncture, and maintains an integrated medical clinic in Paducah, Kentucky. She worked as a graphic artist and in textile arts prior to her career in medicine, and now seeks to integrate her two careers.