Medieval Medicine

Question 1

What was the belief regarding astrology and disease during the Black Death?

Answer 1

The movement of the stars and planets were linked to causing disease.

Question 2

Who developed the Theory of the Four Humours?

Answer 2

Greek physician Hippocrates.

Question 3

What are the four humours identified in Hippocrates’ theory?

Answer 3

• Blood
• Phlegm
• Yellow bile
• Black bile

Question 4

What did Hippocrates believe caused illness?

Answer 4

An imbalance of the four humours.

Question 5

What diagnostic tool did Hippocrates use related to urine?

Answer 5

Urine charts matched the colour of urine to humours.

Question 6

Who developed the Theory of Opposites?

Answer 6

Galen, a Roman physician.

Question 7

What was the main idea of the Theory of Opposites?

Answer 7

Treating illness with the opposite of what caused it.

Question 8

What did Galen link phlegm to in the Theory of Opposites?

Answer 8

Water and cold.

Question 9

What is miasma?

Answer 9

The belief that bad air causes disease.

Question 10

Which historical figures wrote about miasma?

Answer 10

Hippocrates and Galen.

Question 11

What religious belief was associated with disease?

Answer 11

Disease was viewed as punishment from God.

Question 12

What disease was closely associated with religious beliefs?

Answer 12

Leprosy.

Question 13

What were common treatments during the Black Death?

Answer 13

• Asking God for forgiveness
• Bleeding and purging
• Strong smelling herbs
• Lighting fires

Question 14

What were some prevention methods during the Black Death?

Answer 14

• Flagellation
• Prayer
• Running away
• Carrying flowers
• Quarantine

Question 15

How did Galen’s ideas align with the Christian Church?

Answer 15

His belief in the soul and body working together fit with Christian beliefs.

Question 16

What was believed about the King’s healing power?

Answer 16

The King could heal Scrofula through touch.

Question 17

What type of remedies were commonly used during this period?

Answer 17

Herbal remedies.

Question 18

What was Theriaca?

Answer 18

A spice-based mixture with up to 70 ingredients.

Question 19

Who were the medieval chemists supplying herbal remedies?

Answer 19

Apothecaries.

Question 20

Who primarily treated people in villages?

Answer 20

Women using herbal remedies passed down generations.

Question 21

What was phlebotomy?

Answer 21

The most common treatment for an imbalance of humours, involving bleeding.

Question 22

What did purging involve?

Answer 22

Removing bad humours through herbal remedies causing vomiting or laxatives.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: The belief that breathing in bad air caused illness is known as _______.

Answer 23

miasma.

Question 24

True or False: Galen was a religious man who opposed Christian beliefs.

Answer 24

False.

Question 25

What was a common method of treatment by medieval doctors?

Answer 25

Taking a sample of urine and matching it to a urine chart.

Question 27

What was the estimated number of hospitals by 1500?

Answer 27

Approximately 1100 hospitals.

Question 28

How many hospitals did Bury St. Edmunds have to cater for lepers?

Answer 28

At least 6 hospitals.

Question 29

What percentage of medieval hospitals were owned by the church?

Answer 29

30%.

Question 30

Who were the main carers in church-owned hospitals?

Answer 30

Nuns and priests.

Question 31

What percentage of medieval hospitals were funded by endowment?

Answer 31

70%.

Question 32

What is endowment in the context of medieval hospitals?

Answer 32

Wealthy persons giving money to set up a hospital.

Question 33

What was the primary function of medieval hospitals?

Answer 33

To provide rest, not to treat the sick.

Question 34

How were patients accommodated in medieval hospitals?

Answer 34

Patients would share beds.

Question 35

Which groups of people were typically rejected from medieval hospitals?

Answer 35

Insane and pregnant women.

Question 36

True or False: Medieval hospitals were primarily focused on treating the sick.

Answer 36

False.

Question 37

What was the Church's belief about disease prevention?

Answer 37

The most effective method of prevention was to not sin. Regular prayers and confession were encouraged. ## Footnote This reflects the religious perspective on morality and health during the period.

Question 38

What does the Regimen Sanitatis refer to?

Answer 38

It is guidance on how to live a hygienic healthy life, including advice like ‘do not overeat,’ ‘avoid stress,’ and ‘keep clean with regular bathing.’ ## Footnote This regimen was widely followed to maintain health.

Question 39

What dietary practice was discouraged to prevent disease?

Answer 39

Over-eating was discouraged because it was believed that humours were produced by digestion. ## Footnote This reflects the humoral theory of medicine prevalent at the time.

Question 40

What was the belief about miasma in relation to disease prevention?

Answer 40

Purifying the air was believed to be healthy due to the belief in miasma, which suggested that foul fumes caused disease. ## Footnote This led to efforts to remove bad odors and maintain cleanliness.

Question 41

What types of herbs were used for purifying the air?

Answer 41

People used herbs such as lavender. ## Footnote Lavender was commonly believed to have health benefits.

Question 42

What actions did local authorities take towards the end of the period to prevent disease?

Answer 42

Local authorities tried to keep streets free of rotting animals and rubbish. ## Footnote This was part of the broader public health efforts.