Caring for the sick

Question 1

Barber-surgeons

Answer 1

• no training
• carried out bloodletting, pulling teeth and lancing boils
• basic surgery (very low success rate)
• cost less than a physician

Question 2

Care at home

Answer 2

• treated by a female family member
• village “wise woman” - would tend to people in their homes for free

Question 3

Apothecaries

Answer 3

• received training but no medical qualifications
• mixed medicines and ointments based on their own knowledge of direction
• cost money, but less than a physician

Question 4

Physicians

Answer 4

• medically trained at universities and passed exams
• diagnosed illnesses and gave treatments or sent them to barber-surgeons or apothecaries
• expensive
• very few of them, women very rare

Question 5

Role of Physicians

Answer 5

• observed symptoms and checked their pulse, skin colour and urine
• consulted urine charts in their handbook
• consulted zodiac charts

Question 6

Hospitals

Answer 6

• sick or infectious people not allowed in
• places for travellers or pilgrims
• run by the Church
• fresh food and plenty of rest