Medieval medicine 1250-1500

• Galen


  A Greek physician and philosopher whose works heavily influenced medieval medicine.
• Bloodlettting


  A common medical practice in medieval times, believed to balance the four humors.
• Urine Testing


  A medieval medical practice used to diagnose various conditions.
• Medications


  Herbal remedies and potions used to treat various conditions in medieval medicine.
• Apprenticeships


  A common method of medical education in medieval times, where students learned from experienced physicians.
• Hippocrates

  A Greek physician who is considered one of the most important figures in the history of medicine. He is often referred to as the "father of medicine". Hippocrates is credited with the Hippocratic Oath, a code of ethics for physicians, and his teachings on clinical diagnosis and treatment were influential for many centuries.
• Hippocratic Oath


  A promise taken by physicians to uphold a code of ethics, including respecting patients' privacy, avoiding harm to patients, and maintaining confidentiality. The oath was originally attributed to Hippocrates, but its actual author is unknown.
• Empiricism


  Hippocrates' approach to medicine, which emphasized observing and experiencing things to develop new knowledge and treatments. This approach stood in contrast to the prevailing Aristotelian view of medicine, which was based on theory and speculation.
• Galen


  A Greek physician and philosopher who made significant contributions to the fields of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. He wrote extensively on medical topics and his works had a profound impact on the development of Western medicine. He learned his knowledge of the human anatomy from his experience working in gladiator schools and was employed by the emperors family as their physician
• Humoral Theory


  Galen's influential theory, which proposed that the body contained four fluids or "humors" (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile) that needed to be balanced for good health. This theory was widely accepted for many centuries and influenced Western medicine until the rise of modern medicine in the 19th century.
• Monastic hospitals


  Medical facilities within monasteries and convents where monks and nuns provided care to the sick, poor, and travelers.
• Hospital care

  In medieval medicine, hospital care was often provided by monks and nuns in monasteries and convents, who offered spiritual support, shelter, and basic medical care.
• Barber-surgeons


  Trained individuals who performed both barbering and surgical procedures, providing medical care to the general population.
• Surgery in medieval medicine

  Barber-surgeons performed various surgical procedures, including amputations, trephining, and trepanation, but often lacked proper training and hygienic practices.
• Apothecaries


  Trained individuals who prepared and sold medicines, treating patients with their remedies.
• Local healers


  Untrained individuals who provided medical care using traditional remedies, folk medicine, and sometimes unproven treatments.
• Medicine in medieval medicine

  Apothecaries sold over-the-counter medicines, often prepared using unproven remedies and ingredients, which could be ineffective or even harmful.
• Traditional remedies


  ont>Traditional remedies</front> <backLocalized treatments, such as poultices, herbal concoctions, and spiritual rituals, were often used by local healers to treat illnesses.
• Unbalanced Humors


  In medieval medicine, the cause of disease was often attributed to an unbalanced or impaired "humoral equilibrium" within the body. The four humors (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile) needed to be kept in a delicate balance for good health. Any imbalance was believed to lead to disease.
• Humoral Imbalance


  An imbalance of the humors was believed to lead to disease, as the affected organs or limbs would exhibit symptoms characteristic of the excess or deficiency of that humor. For example, an excess of yellow bile was thought to cause fever, while an excess of blood was believed to cause pleurisy.
• Waste Disposal


  Poor waste disposal led to unsanitary conditions, contributing to the spread of diseases.
• Environmental Adjustments

  People believed that environmental factors, such as climate and air quality, could influence the balance of the humors and lead to disease. Measures were taken to adjust these factors, such as avoiding swampy areas and using herbs to purify the air.
• religious Practices

  Spiritual practices, such as prayer, meditation, and rituals, were believed to maintain the balance of the humors and prevent disease.aswell as sipping and shouting in public for forgiveness from god during the plauge
• Astrology and Celestial Events


  Astrology and celestial events were used to predict and prepare for potential health risks, but these practices were not based on scientific evidence.
• Wells and Springs


  Wells and springs provided water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning in medieval towns.
• Nightsoil Disposal


  Nightsoil, or human waste, was frequently dumped in open fields, bodies of water, or other public areas, contributing to unsanitary conditions.
• Street Waste


  Waste was often thrown into the streets, where it was swept up by townspeople or local authorities.
• Manual Cleaning


  Streets were often cleaned by hand, using brooms, shovels, and buckets.
• Bad Air Theory


  The dominant theory at the time was that the plague was caused by "bad air" or "miasma" that rose from the ground, particularly from decaying bodies and waste.
• Miasma and Divine Wrath

  People believed that the plague was a punishment from God, and the "bad air" was a sign of divine wrath.
• Contagion Theory


  Some believed that the plague was spread through personal contact with infected people, such as through touch, respiratory droplets, or contact with contaminated objects.
• Bloodletting and Purging


  Physicians believed that they could treat the plague by restoring the balance of humors through bloodletting, purging, and the use of medicinal herbs.
• Natural Phenomena


  Others believed that the plague was caused by natural phenomena, such as a planetary alignment or a comet.
• Bloodletting


  Bloodletting was a common treatment for the plague, with physicians believing that releasing "bad blood" would restore balance to the body.
• Medicinal Herbs


  Physicians used medicinal herbs, such as camphor and lavender, to treat the plague, believing they could reduce fever and alleviate symptoms.
• Purging


  Purging was another common treatment, where patients were given laxatives or emetics to induce vomiting, with the goal of releasing "bad humors" from the body.
• Bad Air


  People believed that "bad air" or "miasma" was responsible for spreading the plague, so they tried to avoid areas with poor ventilation, such as sewers, cesspits, and areas near decaying bodies.
• Quarantine and Isolation


  Quarantine and isolation were also used to contain the spread of the plague, with sick individuals being removed from society and healthy individuals being separated from infected areas. As well as guards and red crosses on door and killing cats
• Prayer and Confession

  Many believed that prayer and confession could protect them from the plague, and that it was a sign of divine predestination if they were afflicted with the disease.
• Herbal Remedies


  People used herbal remedies, such as lavender, camphor, and rosemary, to ward off the plague or to treat its symptoms.