In tribal cultures, medicine men use their communities' religious beliefs and practices to provide 'medical' treatment. These 'doctors' drive out evil spirits, control the weather and detect breakers of taboos in addition to or as part of the process of healing the sick. The stereotype of the doctor with his fondness for gold and his lack of interest in religion seems to have become well developed. Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, authors of fictional works take the doctor's indifference or hostility towards religion almost for granted. The theme transcends time, place and religious denomination. Edward Bellamy's 'heathenish' Dr Gustav Heidenhoff, another godless nineteenth-century physician, invents an electrical apparatus that removes feelings of guilt and depression. The doctor's faith is questionable, but despite his unorthodox beliefs his patients trust him. The collective irreligious attitude of doctors may lead to communication problems with patients and antagonize religious relatives and friends.