The Parable of the Sick Man

A man who for many months had been suffering from an illness went one day to see a doctor. The doctor told him, "this is what you must do: return to your town, find your neighbor, and kill him. Then your disease will subside and you will be able to return to work."

The man returned to his home, found his neighbor, and killed him. Soon after, just as the doctor had predicted, his fever subsided and he was able to return to work.

I ask you: When was the man more ill, before or after visiting the doctor?