Medicine stands still-Natural explanation Flashcards
Some treatments in medieval Britain where based less on religious faith but more on what?
Natural theories and observation of the physical world
Despite some treatments being more based on natural theories and an observation of the physical world, what was still wrong with them?
They could still be wrong
What theory was medicine dominated by?
Four Humours Theory
What happened after the fall of the Roman Empire in the west?
Much ancient greek and roman medical knowledge was lost in the west
Since much of the medical knowledge was lost, what was eventually brought back to western Europe?
The Theory of the Four Humours
Through what was the theory of the Four Humours brought back to western europe?
Via the Islamic world
What did many medieval doctors use this theory for?
To base their diagnosis and treatment on
Who was the theory of four humours created by?
Ancient Greek doctor Hippocrates
Between what years was the theory of four humours created?
c. 460 - c. 377 BC
What was the base idea of the four humours? /What did Hippocrates believe?
The body was made of four fluids (or humours)
What were the four humours?
Blood
Phlegm
Yellow bile
Black bile
What were the four humours linked to?
Four seasons and four elements
How were the four humours interpreted to determine health?
They needed to be in balance for good health
Give an example of how the four humours worked.
e.g., in winter when we get colds hippocrates thought the body created an excess of phlegm. But hippocrates failed to see that these things were symptoms of the disease not the cause
Who was the theory of the four humours developed further by?
greek doctor Galen
When was Galen born?
AD 129
Where did Galen work for much of his career?
Rome
what did Galen believe could be used to treat diseases?
Opposites
What was Galen’s idea behind the theory of opposites?
Thought that different foods, drinks, herbs and spices had a humour.
this humour could balance the excessive humour that was causing the disease
Give an example of how the theory of opposites was worked
E.g., someone with a cold (too much cold and wet phlegm) could be given chicken, pepper or win (all considered hot and dry) to correct the imbalance
What other theory was popular during this time?
Miasma theory
What is the idea behind the miasma theory?
Bad air (or miasma) caused disease when someone breathes it in
What does the bad air come from?
Anything that creates a bad smell e.g., human waste or dead bodies
Where did the miasma theory originate?
Ancient greece and rome
What was the miasma theory incorporated with and by who?
Into the four humous theory by Galen
Since the miasma theory was so influential, when did it last until?
1860s
what was miasma then replaced by in 1861?
Germ theory
What did miasma often prompt people to do?
hygienic things like cleaning the street
What was the overall opinion on miasma?
It helped stop the spread of disease but for the wrong reasons
Despite the four humours and miasma theory being incorrect, why were they important?
They assumed disease had a natural cause rather than a supernatural one which suggested that people were not powerless against disease. This meant they could investigate and take action against it.
what were Hippocrates and Galens written beliefs about medicine translated into?
Latin books
who were the latin books considered important texts by?
Roman Catholic Church
What was Hippocrates and Galen’s work considered for the roman catholic church?
The absolute truth like the bible
How long were their ideas taught?
For centuries after their death
What is an example of Galen’s incorrect ideas?
Galen only ever dissected animals so his ideas about human anatomy were wrong
Why did medieval doctors continue to learn Galen’s incorrect ideas about dissection?
They were not allowed to perform their own dissections
What shows that some of Hippocrates and Galens ideas were so influential?
They continue to be used today
Give an example of one of their ideas which are still used today
The Hippocratic Oath-a version of it is still used today
What is the Hippocratic Oath?
The promise made by doctors to obey rules of behaviour in their professional lives
What did Hippocrates and Galen also believe about the treatment of patients?
Doctors should observe their patients as they treat them
