40 Interesting Facts About Medieval Medicine

1. Medieval medicine was heavily influenced by the teachings of ancient Greek and Roman physicians like Hippocrates and Galen.
2. Most doctors believed in the theory of “humors” proposed by Galen. This involved the balance of four bodily fluids: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile.
3. Illness was often attributed to an imbalance of these humors, and treatments often involved adjusting the balance, such as bloodletting or purging.
4. The practice of bloodletting was based on the belief that removing blood would help to balance the humors.
5. Surgery was primitive and painful, with no effective anesthesia.
6. Barber-surgeons were common in medieval towns. They performed basic surgery and also provided services like bloodletting and tooth pulling.
7. Monasteries often served as the medical centers of the time, with monks providing care and maintaining herb gardens.
8. Monks were known to brew beer, which was safer to drink than water, and it was also used as a form of antiseptic for wounds.
9. Medical treatments often involved herbs and spices. For example, garlic was used for its antiseptic properties.
10. Many of the herbs and plants used in medieval medicine are still used today, such as chamomile and mint.
11. There were also female doctors in the Middle Ages. Known as “wise women,” they used local plants and traditional knowledge to treat illness.
12. Physicians would often consult astrological charts as part of their diagnosis and treatment.
13. The use of leeches in medicine, also known as hirudotherapy, was common in the Middle Ages. They were used for bloodletting.
14. Apothecaries were the pharmacists of the Middle Ages, preparing and selling medicines.
15. The Black Death, one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, swept through Europe in the 14th century. Medieval medicine had no effective response to it.
16. Quarantine was first introduced in the 14th century in an attempt to protect coastal cities from plague epidemics.
17. The word “quarantine” comes from the Italian “quaranta giorni,” which means 40 days. Ships arriving in Venice from infected ports were required to sit at anchor for 40 days before landing.
18. Some medieval doctors wore a beak-like mask filled with aromatic items. The masks were designed to protect them from putrid air, which was seen as the cause of infection.
19. Medieval physicians were often university-educated, but many had limited practical experience.
20. Surgery was considered a low-status occupation for a doctor and was often left to the barber-surgeons.
21. Medical recipes from the Middle Ages often combined herbal remedies, religious prayers, and magic.
22. Amulets and charms were used to ward off sickness and promote healing.
23. The mandrake root was used in many medieval medicines due to its narcotic and analgesic properties. However, it was also considered a magical plant.
24. Medical students in medieval universities studied texts that were hundreds of years old, mainly written by Greek and Roman physicians.
25. In medieval Islamic world, hospitals known as “bimaristans” were established that provided care to the ill, which could include music therapy.
26. Avicenna’s “The Canon of Medicine,” a comprehensive medical textbook, was widely used in medieval Europe.
27. Medical treatments could also include diet and lifestyle recommendations, not just medicines.
28. The symbol of medicine, the caduceus (staff with intertwined snakes), has its roots in ancient symbolism, but was used in the Middle Ages as well.
29. Medieval dentistry was rudimentary and mainly involved pulling out troublesome teeth.
30. Medical instruments in the Middle Ages were often made from iron and could be quite basic, such as forceps and scalpels.
31. Trepanation, the practice of drilling holes in the skull, was sometimes used in the Middle Ages to treat conditions like epilepsy and headaches.
32. Some diseases, like leprosy, were thought to be a punishment from God. Lepers were often forced to live in isolated colonies.
33. “Uroscopy” was the practice of examining a patient’s urine to diagnose their illness. The color, smell, and even taste of the urine could be analyzed.
34. In the Middle Ages, mental illnesses were poorly understood and were often attributed to demonic possession.
35. Medical knowledge was often written in Latin, which was the language of educated people in the Middle Ages.
36. The Church played a significant role in medical care, as they ran the monasteries where many sick people were cared for.
37. Medieval medicine was not just about treating illnesses, but also about maintaining health. Good sleep, a balanced diet, and regular exercise were recommended.
38. Baths and bathing were seen as an important part of maintaining health, contrary to the popular belief that people in the Middle Ages never bathed.
39. In medieval times, childbirth was a risky process. Midwives were often called upon to assist, using a variety of herbs and techniques.
40. Despite the many challenges, medical advancements were made during the Middle Ages, including the development of hospitals and a greater understanding of anatomy.

Originally posted 2023-09-20 21:48:08.

Please share this page on social media and help us grow!