Topic One: Medieval Medicine 1250-1500 Flashcards
When was Britain’s first hospital set up and its name?
1123 - St Bartholomew’s was set up in London
In 1350, what was the average life expectancy?
Average life expectancy is 35 years of age
When was the Black Death and how many people died?
1348-49 The Black Death kills 1/3 of England’s population
Parliament passes the first law requiring streets and rivers to be kept clean by the people in what year?
1388
The Medieval Church
The official religion of medieval Britain was Roman Catholic. Daily life and power was dominated by the Church, they controlled education and many people feared God.
The Four Humours.
. First suggested by Greek doctor Hippocrates. Black Bile, Yellow Bile, Blood and Phlegm. These humours linked to elements and seasons. Hippocrates believed that if these humours became unbalanced you would get ill. To get better, you needed to balance them. Galen, a Greek doctor working in Rome continued the theory and added his own ideas. His ‘Theory of Opposites’ to heal illness suggested using hot to cure cold.
Medieval Power
The emphasis in Medieval Britain was on authority. The King had total power, but the Church had considerable control. People followed authority and would not question the views of King/Church as it would mean risking their lives.
Define Superstition
A belief, not based on knowledge, but on the supernatural. For example witchcraft or astrology
Purging
To rid the body of an ‘excess’ like blood or vomit
Leeching
The use of leeches for bloodletting
Cupping
Using glass cups to draw blood to the surface
Fasting
To avoid eating or drinking
Pilgrimage
A journey to a religious shrine and relics to show your love of God and to cure an illness
Mass
Public worship in the Roman Catholic Church
Astrology
Study of the planets and their effect on humans
Miasma
Bad air which was blamed for spreading disease
Apothecary
A medieval pharmacist or chemist
Wise Woman
A female healer, who used folk medicine and herbal remedies to cure illnesses.
Vademecum
A medieval medical book carried by doctors
Urine Chart
Used to examine urine to define an illness
Physician
A male medically trained doctor
Barber Surgeon
Untrained surgeon, who practiced basic surgery
Dissection
To cut open a human and examine the insides
Epidemic
A widespread outbreak of a disease
Trepanning
Cutting a hole in the skull
Amulet
A charm that bought protection from disease
Black Death
A term to describe the bubonic plague
Monastery
A building where monks live, eat and pray
