Prevention and Treatment

Question 1

Bloodletting

Answer 1

• Common treatment for an imbalance of humours
• Done by cutting a vain, using leeches or by cupping
• Sometimes performed by physicians but mainly barber-surgeons or non-medical people

Question 2

Purging

Answer 2

• Used to re-balance the humours
• Made a person vomit or a laxative was used
• Laxatives were made by apothecaries, wise women or at home

Question 3

Religious Prevention to general illness

Answer 3

• Living a Christian life
• Self-punishment such as flagellation, punishing yourself so God wouldn’t

Question 4

Superstitious Prevention

Answer 4

• Carrying lucky charms or amulets

- Chanting incantations

Question 5

Rational Methods

Answer 5

• Keeping streets clean
• Bathing/washing
• Exercising
• Purifying the air
• Not overeating

Question 6

Religious Treatments

Answer 6

• Praying
• Fasting
• Going on a pilgrimage
• Paying for a special Mass to be said