Medieval Medicine Flashcards
What was the belief regarding astrology and disease during the Black Death?
The movement of the stars and planets were linked to causing disease.
Who developed the Theory of the Four Humours?
Greek physician Hippocrates.
What are the four humours identified in Hippocrates’ theory?
- Blood
- Phlegm
- Yellow bile
- Black bile
What did Hippocrates believe caused illness?
An imbalance of the four humours.
What diagnostic tool did Hippocrates use related to urine?
Urine charts matched the colour of urine to humours.
Who developed the Theory of Opposites?
Galen, a Roman physician.
What was the main idea of the Theory of Opposites?
Treating illness with the opposite of what caused it.
What did Galen link phlegm to in the Theory of Opposites?
Water and cold.
What is miasma?
The belief that bad air causes disease.
Which historical figures wrote about miasma?
Hippocrates and Galen.
What religious belief was associated with disease?
Disease was viewed as punishment from God.
What disease was closely associated with religious beliefs?
Leprosy.
What were common treatments during the Black Death?
- Asking God for forgiveness
- Bleeding and purging
- Strong smelling herbs
- Lighting fires
What were some prevention methods during the Black Death?
- Flagellation
- Prayer
- Running away
- Carrying flowers
- Quarantine
How did Galen’s ideas align with the Christian Church?
His belief in the soul and body working together fit with Christian beliefs.
What was believed about the King’s healing power?
The King could heal Scrofula through touch.
What type of remedies were commonly used during this period?
Herbal remedies.
What was Theriaca?
A spice-based mixture with up to 70 ingredients.
Who were the medieval chemists supplying herbal remedies?
Apothecaries.
Who primarily treated people in villages?
Women using herbal remedies passed down generations.
What was phlebotomy?
The most common treatment for an imbalance of humours, involving bleeding.
What did purging involve?
Removing bad humours through herbal remedies causing vomiting or laxatives.
Fill in the blank: The belief that breathing in bad air caused illness is known as _______.
miasma.
True or False: Galen was a religious man who opposed Christian beliefs.
False.
What was a common method of treatment by medieval doctors?
Taking a sample of urine and matching it to a urine chart.
What was the estimated number of hospitals by 1500?
Approximately 1100 hospitals.
How many hospitals did Bury St. Edmunds have to cater for lepers?
At least 6 hospitals.
What percentage of medieval hospitals were owned by the church?
30%.
Who were the main carers in church-owned hospitals?
Nuns and priests.
What percentage of medieval hospitals were funded by endowment?
70%.
What is endowment in the context of medieval hospitals?
Wealthy persons giving money to set up a hospital.
What was the primary function of medieval hospitals?
To provide rest, not to treat the sick.
How were patients accommodated in medieval hospitals?
Patients would share beds.
Which groups of people were typically rejected from medieval hospitals?
Insane and pregnant women.
True or False: Medieval hospitals were primarily focused on treating the sick.
False.
What was the Church’s belief about disease prevention?
The most effective method of prevention was to not sin. Regular prayers and confession were encouraged.
This reflects the religious perspective on morality and health during the period.
What does the Regimen Sanitatis refer to?
It is guidance on how to live a hygienic healthy life, including advice like ‘do not overeat,’ ‘avoid stress,’ and ‘keep clean with regular bathing.’
This regimen was widely followed to maintain health.
What dietary practice was discouraged to prevent disease?
Over-eating was discouraged because it was believed that humours were produced by digestion.
This reflects the humoral theory of medicine prevalent at the time.
What was the belief about miasma in relation to disease prevention?
Purifying the air was believed to be healthy due to the belief in miasma, which suggested that foul fumes caused disease.
This led to efforts to remove bad odors and maintain cleanliness.
What types of herbs were used for purifying the air?
People used herbs such as lavender.
Lavender was commonly believed to have health benefits.
What actions did local authorities take towards the end of the period to prevent disease?
Local authorities tried to keep streets free of rotting animals and rubbish.
This was part of the broader public health efforts.
