Medieval Flashcards
(32 cards)
What time period is thr medieval era?
1250-1500
What was a big influence that affected causes of illness?
The church controlled education and and universities where physicians were trained
What did they believe about miasma (cause)?
Miasma / bad air contained poisonous fumes that caused illness
What were the causes of the black death believed to be?
-Miasma
-Unbalance of the humours
-God sending as punishment
-Unusual positioning of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn
When was the black death?
1348-49
What did they believe led to illness (galen-medieval) ?
Theory of the 4 humours: blood, phlegm, yellow + black bile. Unequal balancd led to illness.
Supernatural explanation for cause in the medieval?
Astrology
-Alignment of planets and stars used to diagnose illness
-Use of star charts
-Looked at when patient was born and when they fell ill to provide diagnosis
Religious explanation for cause of disease (medieval)?
Church
-Sins to blame
-Disease+illness sent as God’s punishment
-Sent by God to cleanse soul of sin or to test your faith
Why did the church think people got better (medieval) ?
Due to prayers
What were the 4 categories of treatment in the medieval?
-Religious remedies
-Balancing 4 humours
-Supernatural
-Other remedies
What were the ‘other remedies’ used as treatment (medieval)?
~Fasting
~Theriac remedy (made from 70 ingredients to treat posion)
~Herbal remedies
~Minor surgery
How did they clean wounds in the medieval era?
Wine vinegar and honey used
What was an apothecary?
-Mixed herbal remedies
-Used passed down knowledge
-Used supernatural treatments such as charms
What were physicians?
-Recommend a treatment course
-Rarely treated patients themself
-Medical degree, 7-10 years to complete
-Looked at urine, consulted astrological charts, created treatment course
Who did the physicians learn the work of which affected treatment and prevention?
Works of Galen
What did Barber surgeons do?
-Least qualified medical proff
-Pull teeth out + blood lett
-Skilled surgeon could set broken limb, remove cataracts or arrows
What happened in the home for treatment (medieval)?
-Women cared for relatives
-Treatments = herbal remedies, rest, well fed
-Women weren’t allowed to be physicians
What were the ways the 4 humours were balanced?
☆Bleeding / blood letting
☆Warm bath, dissolve blockages
☆Theory of opposites
☆Purging / taking laxatives, make patient vomit/diahorrea to balance humours
What were religious remedies for treatment (medieval)?
•Healing prayers
•Praying for special mass to be said for you
•Pilgrimage
•Flagellation
•Lighting candles
•Not allowed to seek treatment as God sent as illness to purge soul
What were some supernatural treatments used (medieval)?
○Star charts and horoscopes read to assign remedy
○Amulets and charms
Influence of Galen?
Suggested the theory can be rebalanced by using the theory of opposites
What did Galen say to do if you had too much phlegm?
Was caused by cold so opposite to use was hot chilli peppers to rebalanced humours
What did Galen say to do if you had too much blood?
Was hot and dryso opposite to treat was cucumbers
Why did the church promote galena ideas?
Galen believed in the idea of the soul, a teaching from the church, caused church to promote Galens theories
