medieval

• Beliefs in the Medieval Period

  Illness attributed to God's punishment for unchristian ways; focus on religious life to prevent illness
• Preventative Measures

  Attempts to prevent illness included bathing, drinking vinegar, carrying flowers, killing cats and dogs
• Response to the Black Death

  Increased religious activity; processions, burning candles, self-flagellation
• Preventative Measures

  Contaminated houses marked with crosses; alchemy popular for prevention
• Alchemy in the Medieval Period

  Alchemists sought to turn base metals into gold; rumors of creating the Elixir of Life for eternal youth
• Misconceptions and Risks


  Spending life savings on ineffective remedies; some remedies were poisonous and harmful to health