Medieval

• What was the influence of the Church in England during the medieval period?

  The Church had great influence over people's lives.
• How did people in medieval England view illness and disease?

  They believed illness and disease were sent by God as punishment for sin.
• What role did astrology play in diagnosing illness in medieval England?

  Astrology was used to help diagnose disease by studying star charts.
• Who were the ancient physicians whose teachings influenced medieval medicine?

  Hippocrates and Galen.
• Why were Hippocrates and Galen's ideas still studied in medieval England?

  Their work had been translated and made sense of by Islamic scholars.
• What was the theory of the four humours?

  It stated that the body was made up of four humours: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile.
• What happens if the four humours become unbalanced?

  • It leads to illness.
  • Balance is necessary for good health.
• How did Galen expand upon Hippocrates' theory of the four humours?

  Galen believed the humours could be balanced using the theory of opposites.
• What was the miasma theory?

  It was the belief that illness and disease were caused by poisoned air.
• What religious actions were believed to prevent disease in the medieval period?

  • Living a life free from sin
  • Attending church services
  • Prayer for forgiveness
  • Pilgrimages
  • Wearing magical charms
  • Fasting
  • Flagellation
• How did people try to purify the air according to miasma theory?

  They cleaned the streets and carried posies of sweet-smelling herbs.
• What were some community methods to prevent disease in medieval towns?

  • Employing rakers to clean streets
  • Punishing littering
  • Building public latrines
• What was the common belief about the cause of illness in medieval England?

  Illness was caused by an imbalance of the four humours.
• What was bloodletting and why was it performed?

  Bloodletting was a treatment to restore balance by removing blood from the body.
• Who typically treated the majority of people in medieval England?

  Female family members, such as wives or mothers.
• What were common herbal treatments in medieval England?

  • Treatments made from herbs, minerals, and animal parts
  • Honey for infection
  • Linseed as a laxative
• What was the role of barber surgeons in medieval medicine?

  Barber surgeons performed basic surgeries like bloodletting and sewing wounds.
• How were herbal treatment instructions typically conveyed?

  Instructions were passed down through family traditions and included prayers.
• What was a common treatment for vomiting in medieval times?

  Patients were given something to make them vomit or a laxative.
• What did Galen believe about treating an excess of phlegm?

  He believed it could be treated with hot and dry remedies.
• What was the significance of the phrase "wise women" in medieval England?

  Wise women were individuals viewed as knowledgeable about treatments and remedies.
• What was the common belief about the relationship between suffering and faith in medieval times?

  Suffering was accepted as a way to consider one's Christian faith more closely.
• What were the main skills learned by medieval surgeons?

  Sewing up wounds and removing growths
• How did medieval surgeons learn their skills?

  By watching others and reading books about surgery
• Who primarily treated people in medieval England?

  Female family members
• What were 'wise women' known for in medieval England?

  Being knowledgeable about treatments and remedies
• What were the most common ingredients used in medieval treatments?

  Herbs, minerals, plants, and animal parts
• What did books on herbal treatments include?

  Instructions on mixing ingredients and specified prayers
• What was honey used for in medieval herbal treatments?

  As a treatment for infection
• What was linseed used for in medieval treatments?

  As a laxative
• What was a traditional remedy for gout mentioned in the study material?

  Plucking an owl, cleaning it, and using it with boar's grease
• What role did apothecaries play in medieval medicine?


  They mixed herbal treatments for the sick
• How did apothecaries learn to mix treatments?

  From other apothecaries
• What was the role of hospitals in medieval England?

  To provide care for patients, not cures
• Who primarily owned and ran hospitals in medieval England?

  The Church
• What was one of the most famous medieval hospitals?

  St Bartholomew's in London
• What was the significance of wealthy individuals in relation to hospitals?

  They funded hospitals in exchange for promises regarding their souls
• How were patients cared for in hospitals during medieval times?

  Through prayer and providing a resting environment
• What was leprosy in medieval times?

  A skin disease that led to severe physical deterioration
• What happened to individuals diagnosed with leprosy?

  They were separated from the community and lived in leper houses