Who was the first arbitrator of the causes of disease or ill fortune in primitive times?

The correct answer is the medicine man. In many primitive societies, the medicine man served as a crucial figure in understanding and addressing health issues. Often viewed as a healer, the medicine man combined spiritual, magical, and practical knowledge to diagnose and treat ailments. This role was not solely about physical healing; it included interpreting the causes of diseases or misfortunes as they were often believed to relate to spiritual or supernatural factors.

Typically, medicine men were knowledgeable about local traditions, folklore, and remedies, which were vital in communities where scientific understanding of disease was not yet developed. Their authority and skills made them essential in guiding people through their health crises by invoking ancestral spirits, engaging in rituals, and utilizing various natural remedies.

The other roles mentioned, such as shaman, physician, and herbalist, while related, do not fully encapsulate the specific function of the medicine man in the context of primitive societies and their unique worldview concerning health and illness.