Medieval Causes of Disease and Treatments Flashcards
(23 cards)
Where and when was the first medical school established in Europe?
Salerno
10th Century
What was teaching based on in the first medical school?
The work of Galen
No practical experience for students
What did people believe caused disease in Medieval times?
Four Humours
Miasma
God
Developed belief in astrology
What treatments were used during the Medieval times?
Blood letting Herbs/ leechbooks Stars Flagellation Prayer Pilgrimages Examining urine Mentally ill beaten
How did training of doctors develop during the Middle Ages?
Compulsory
Universities started to develop (Oxford in 1167/ Cambridge in 1209)
Would study Galen
Not allowed to study dissections as Church still controlled medicine
Who controlled care of the sick in the Middle Ages?
The Church/ Monasteries
What were the positive of the Church controlling care of the sick?
Believed in caring for all
Had good water supplies
What were the negatives of the Church controlling care of the sick?
Only 10% cared for the sick- rest focussed on old and dying, lepers and shelter for travellers.
Focus on care- not treatment.
What was St Bartholomew’s in London?
A purpose built hospital built in 1100
What was the bezoar stone?
A stone found in the stomach of goats in Persia used as a treatment for disease
How was astrology developed during the Middle Ages?
Linked to four humours, four elements
Avoided certain operations in certain zodiac signs
When was the Black Death?
1348
How much of the British population died during the Black Death?
One third
What was the Black Death an outbreak of?
Bubonic Plague
How was the bubonic plague spread?
Fleas on rats
How did people who believed the plague was caused by God try to treat it?
Flagellants/ whipping themselves to show they were sorry
Name 3 things people believed caused the Black Death
Unusual positioning of the planets Poisonous fumes from volcanoes Miasma Imbalance of 4 humours Jews Witches
Name 4 treatments of the Black Death
Holding a piece of bread against the buboes then burying it Fasting and praying Eating cool things Carrying herbs and spices Flagellants Cutting open buboes to drain pus Lighting a fire in a room Ringing bells Not letting people enter the town or village from other places
Who was responsible for treating the sick in the Middle Ages?
Physician Apothecary Barber- surgeon Hospital Housewife- physician Prayer/ Pilgrimage
How would a physician diagnose and treat patients?
Had medical training
Used urine and astrology
Treatment based on Galen- blood letting
EXPENSIVE/ Might not carry out treatment- leave it to barber- surgeon
What did an apothecary do?
Mix ingredients to produce medicines/ ointments
Cheaper than physician
Has no formal training
What was the role of a barber surgeon?
Blood letting Lance boils Pull rotten teeth Basic surgery- low success rates! Cut your hair!
What was the role of a Housewife- physician?
Knew remedies for sore throats/ stomachs Could deal with broken bones Assist in childbirth May use herbs or 'spells' Could be Lady of Manor
