Causes of Disease

• What were the two main categories of illness causes in medieval times?

  Supernatural and natural ideas
• Who were two key figures associated with natural theories of illness?

  Hippocrates and Galen
• What does the term 'supernatural' mean in the context of medieval illness theories?

  Beyond nature, often spiritual or religious
• How did the church influence medieval medical beliefs?

  Controlled education and promoted Galen's ideas
• What was the church's stance on Galen's theories?

  They supported and promoted his ideas
• What did medieval people believe about diseases and God's role?

  Diseases were punishments for sins
• What did the Bible teach about God's control over life?

  God controlled all aspects of life
• What was the significance of the year 1348 in England?

  The Black Death arrived in England
• What did medieval people believe about witchcraft?

  It could cause illness through curses
• How did astrology influence medieval medicine?

  It was part of medical training and treatment
• What was uroscopy used for in medieval medicine?

  Diagnosing illness through urine analysis
• What did the color of urine indicate in medieval medicine?

  It linked to the four humors' balance
• What was the theory of miasma?

  Bad air caused diseases
• How did King Edward III relate miasma to illness?

  He said filth infected the air
• How did medieval people explain the Black Death?

  As a punishment from God for sins
• What were 'elf shot' in medieval beliefs?

  Invisible arrows causing illness
• What was the common belief about the alignment of planets?

  It could cause illness
• What are the key supernatural and natural theories of disease in medieval times?

  Supernatural theories:

  • Influence of the church
  • God's actions and punishments
  • Evil spirits
  • Astrology

  
  

  Natural theories:

  • Hippocrates and Galen
  • Avicenna
  • The four humors
  • Miasma
  • Uroscopy
• Why were medieval medical theories largely incorrect?

  They lacked understanding of germs
• Who could afford physicians in medieval times?

  Only the rich could afford them
• What was the role of the church in medieval education?

  It controlled what was taught
• How did the church's control over education affect medical knowledge?

  Limited challenges to ancient ideas
• What was a common method for diagnosing diabetes in medieval times?

  Tasting urine for sweetness
• How did medieval people rationalize the idea of miasma?

  Linked it to bad smells and dirt
• What was the general belief about the cause of illness in medieval times?

  Illness was sent by God
• What did medieval people think about the relationship between sin and disease?

  Diseases were punishments for sins
• How did the belief in astrology affect medical practices?

  It influenced treatment decisions by physicians
• What was the medieval understanding of germs?

  They had no understanding of germs
• How did the church's power affect medical knowledge?

  It restricted new ideas and challenges
• What was the role of physicians in medieval society?

  They were limited to the wealthy
• What did medieval people believe about the relationship between air and health?

  Bad air caused diseases
• How did the belief in miasma differ from modern understanding of disease?

  Miasma was thought to be poisonous air
• What was the common belief about the cause of the Black Death?

  It was a punishment from God
• How did medieval people view the role of the devil in causing illness?

  They believed he sent invisible arrows
• How did the church's teachings shape the understanding of disease in medieval times?

  They reinforced supernatural explanations