Medicine through time

• What was the primary religious institution in medieval England that influenced people's understanding of disease?

  The Catholic Church
• How did the Church contribute to the community's medical care in medieval England?

  Monks and nuns provided basic medical care funded by tithes.
• What role did the Church's teachings play in the understanding of illness during medieval times?

  The Church used religion to explain the causes of illness, attributing them to sin or divine punishment.
• What was the tithe in medieval England?

  A sum of money paid to the Church each month.
• Why did the Church support the idea that God sent disease as punishment?

  It provided evidence of God's existence and reinforced religious beliefs.
• Who developed the Theory of the Four Humours?

  Hippocrates
• What are the four humours according to the Theory of the Four Humours?

  Blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile.
• How did Galen expand upon Hippocrates' Theory of the Four Humours?

  He introduced the Theory of Opposites to balance the humours.
• What was the significance of astrology in medieval medicine?

  Astrology was used to explain diseases and prescribe treatments based on planetary alignments.
• What were some common religious treatments for disease in medieval times?

  • Healing prayers and incantations
  • Paying for special masses
  • Fasting
  • Pilgrimages to healing tombs
  • Touching holy relics
  • Presenting offerings at shrines
• What was believed about the king's touch in medieval medicine?

  The king was thought to have the power to heal certain illnesses, especially scrofula.
• What was blood-letting and why was it used in medieval medicine?

  Blood-letting was a common treatment to remove bad humours from the body.
• How did the methods of treatment differ for various patients in medieval times?

  Different treatments were prescribed based on the patient's age and condition, such as using leeches for older patients.
• What were some common remedies used in medieval medicine?

  • Emetics (to induce vomiting)
  • Laxatives (to clear the digestive system)
  • Herbal remedies (like aloe vera, mint, and camomile)
  • Theriaca (a spiced mixture with many ingredients)
• What was the Regimen Sanitatis?

  A set of guidelines for maintaining good health in medieval times.
• How did medieval people try to prevent disease through diet?

  They believed that what and when you ate was important to prevent an imbalance of humours.
• What were some methods medieval people used to maintain cleanliness and prevent disease?

  • Regular hand washing
  • Sweeping floors and laying rushes
  • Bathing in public baths or rivers
  • Spreading sweet herbs to purify the air
• How many hospitals were there in England by 1500?

  About 1,100 hospitals
• What was the focus of hospitals run by the Church in medieval England?

  The focus was on caring for patients rather than treating their illnesses.
• Why were certain groups of people, such as the insane and pregnant, often rejected from hospitals?

  They were considered unworthy or too difficult to care for.
• What were the roles of women in medieval medicine?

  • Caring for relatives at home
  • Growing herbs with supposed healing powers
  • Possibly performing bleeding and surgeries
• What was the significance of charity in the establishment of hospitals in medieval England?

  Charity was important to religion, leading to the establishment of more hospitals.
• How did the Church's beliefs influence patient care in hospitals?

  Patients were advised to pray and attend services, as illness was seen as a punishment from God.
• What was the overall approach to treatment in medieval hospitals?

  The approach was more focused on care and prayer rather than medical treatment.
• What was the primary focus of hospitals in England during the medieval period?

  Caring for patients rather than treatment
• Why were women involved in bleeding and surgeries during the medieval period?

  They possibly carried out these procedures at home
• How many hospitals were there in England by 1500?

  Around 1,100 hospitals
• Which town had the largest number of hospitals in England by 1500?

  Bury St Edmunds
• What percentage of hospitals in England were run by the Church?

  30%
• What was the focus of care in hospitals run by the Church?

  Religious and supernatural care
• How were 70% of hospitals in England funded?

  By endowments
• Why was charity important to religion in the context of hospitals?

  It led to the establishment of many more hospitals
• What did the Church believe about recovery in hospitals?

  It was proof of the existence of God
• What advice was given to patients in hospitals regarding prayer?

  Patients were advised to pray at their bedside
• What was the primary reason for the focus on caring rather than treatment in hospitals?

  Monks and nuns believed illness was sent by God
• What type of patients were often rejected from hospitals?

  Infectious or terminal patients
• How did religion influence the treatment of patients in hospitals?

  Most people received care rather than treatment
• When did the Renaissance period begin and end?

  It began around 1453 and lasted until 1700
• What does the term "Renaissance" mean?

  Rebirth
• How did increased prosperity during the Renaissance impact medicine?

  It led to more money being invested in medical experimentation