Booklet 1

Question 1

What is Saint Anthony’s disease?

Answer 1

Caused by fungus growing on rye in damp conditions. Once it was made into bread it caused rashes and even death.

Question 2

What % of the English population died from diseases such as dysentry, typhoid, smallpox and measles.

Answer 2

10% of England’s population died from these diseases.

Question 3

What % of children died before the age of 7?

Answer 3

30%

Question 4

How did they cure rheumatism?

Answer 4

Wearing a donkey skin.

Question 5

How did they cure asthma?

Answer 5

Swallowing young frogs.

Question 6

How did they cure ringworm?

Answer 6

Washing hair in male urine.

Question 7

What is the name of the 10th century medical text?

Answer 7

Bald’s Leechbook

Question 8

What cure is suggested for an eye problem in Bald’s Leechbook?

Answer 8

Take cropleek and garlic, pound them together well, take wine and bullock’s gall, mix with leek, let it stand for 9 days in a brass pot. Wring it through a cloth and put it in a horn and apply it at night time with a feather to the eye.