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
