The Middle Ages

Question 1

During what time period did the Middle Ages occur?

Answer 1

1100-1500

Question 2

What ideas were there about medicine during 1350?

Answer 2

• Doctors diagnosed their patients by looking at their urine and using astrology
• The most common treatment was bleeding
• Doctors were taught the theory of the four humours at medical school and they believed that is was vital to keep the humours in balance
• Herbal remedies were popular and treatment often started at home
• Most villages had a healer, a wise woman, who could mix up something for everyday illnesses

Question 3

What types of healthcare were available during the Middle Ages?

Answer 3

1. Trained Physician: urine and astrological diagnosis, treatments based on Galen’s findings/the four humours and herbal medicine. Trained at medical school and passed exams.
2. The Apothecary: mixed various ingredients to produce medicines or ointments for physicians, used leeches and herbal remedies. Informal training, no medical qualifications, mainly male apprentices.
3. Barber Surgeon: practiced bloodletting. no anaesthetics during surgery, amputated limbs-low success rate. lanced boils, pulled teeth and a hairdresser. Not trained. not respected by trained physicians.
4. Housewife/Wise woman: remedies based on herbs, other plants, charms and spells. able to deal with broken ones and childbirth-sometimes effective, knew traditional remedies for sore throats, stomach aches or a fever. Trained trough family and herbal remedies passed through the generations.
5. Prayer and Pilgrimage: sick would go on pilgrimages to Abbeys or to a holy shrine to be cured of illness, pray to God to be cured of illness.
6. Quack: a healer with no training, who could make lots of money selling remedies or charms.

Question 4

What happened to medical training, medical knowledge and treatment after the Romans left Britain?

Answer 4

1. A lot of medical knowledge was lost as libraries were destroyed/dismantled
2. Medical knowledge was lost because army doctors returned to Rome
3. The Church and its monasteries kept alive the remains and became extremely powerful/influential
4. The Church liked Galen’ work because it fitted with the teachings of the Bible. Therefore, Galen’s work influenced medicine in Britain right up to the end of the Middle Ages