Medicine in Britain Flashcards
What are the 4 humours?
Ancient Greeks thought everyone had 4 humours in body. Believed people became ill when this mix was unbalanced, to make people better, tried to balance humours-ideas continued into Middle Ages.
What is the Theory of Opposites?
In 2nd century AD, doctor called Galen developed idea of 4 humours further. Besides bleeding and purging to get rid of excess humours, treatment based on his Theory of Opposites aimed to balance humours by giving patient ‘opposite’ of symptoms. If had too much phlegm eat hot peppers.
Who was Galen?
Greek doctor worked in Ancient Rome. Wrote many books and his ideas were basis of medical training in Middle Ages. Developed Hippocrates’ ideas and mainly used bloodletting, or purging, to prevent and treat illness, as well as his own treatments based on his Theory of Opposites. He also drew detailed diagrams of human anatomy using knowledge he gained from operating on wounded gladiators and carrying out dissections on dead bodies.
Who was Hippocrates?
Ancient Greek doctor. His ideas and books were very influential into medieval times and beyond. Dismissed idea that gods caused disease-believed was physical reason for illness, needed physical cure. Most of his treatments were based on diet, exercise and rest but also used bleeding and purging to get rid of excess humours. Wrote Hippocratic Oath, where doctors swore to respect life and prevent harm. Method of clinical observation-studying symptoms, making notes, comparing with similar cases, then diagnosing and treating-basis of approach used today.
What is miasma?
Another theory about cause of disease was that it was transmitted by ‘bad air’. Was related to God because bad smells indicated sin. Theory originated in Ancient world but continued into Middle Ages and well into 19th century.
What is bloodletting?
Most common treatment for imbalance of humours. Was either done by cutting vein, using leeches or by cupping. Different points in body were used for different illnesses. Occasionally bloodletting was performed by physicians but, more usually, was done by barber-surgeons or non-medical persons.
What is Purging?
Either involved making patient vomit or go to toilet to remove food from body. Emetics and laxatives were mixed by apothecaries, physicians prescribed treatments and sometimes gave enemas themselves.
What were religious and supernatural methods?
Living Christian life-praying, going to church, and obeying Commandments, carrying lucky charms or amulets, chanting incantations, self punishment-flagellation-punishing yourself so God wouldn’t.
What are rational methods?
Trying to keep streets clean, bathing and washing, purifying the air, exercising, not overeating, bleeding and purging.
What are traditional remedies?
Most common-Traditional made from herbs, were drunk, sniffed or bathed in. Remedies also included different foods to rebalance humours and ointments to apply to skin. They were made at home or mixed and sold by an apothecary.
What were religious treatments?
Praying, fasting, going on pilgrimage, praying for a special mass to be said.
What were supernatural treatments?
Specific ideas for certain illnesses, such as hanging a magpie’s beak around neck to cure toothache.
What were barber-surgeons?
No training, carried out bloodletting, pulling teeth and lancing boils. Also cut hair. Did basics surgery such as amputating limbs-low success rate, cost less than physician.
What was care in the home?
Most ill people throughout this period were treated at home by female family member. Village ‘wise woman’, often Lady of the Manor would also tend to people in their homes for free.
Who were Apothecaries?
Received training but no medical qualifications, mixed medicines and ointments based on their own knowledge or directions of a physician, cost money-less than physician.
Who were Physicians?
Medically trained at university and passed exams, diagnosed illness and gave treatments, or sent patients to apothecary or barber-surgeon. Expensive-used by wealthy, few of them, women physicians incredibly rare.
