background info

• Wars destroyed the Roman public health systems and medical libraries
• The rulers of the small kingdoms built up armies rather than improving medical skills or public health
• War disrupted trade so countries became poorer
• Travel became more dangerous, reducing the communication between doctors
• Training of doctors was abandoned. Copies of Galen's books were either lost, or hidden away for safety
• The church had set up universities where doctors could be trained
• Armies took trained doctors to war with them where they gained experience as surgeons
• Rulers were taken to clean up towns
• Merchants and scholars were once again travelling around Europe, sharing ideas