PH medival 1250-1500 Flashcards
(17 cards)
Where did most people live in medieval Britain ?
In the countryside , farming the land (90%)
What was a common food risk for the poor ?
Contaminated bread , leading to ergotism
Who held power in countrysides and towns
Nobleman and landowners in the country side , mayors - towns (developing)
What was a common belief about disease ?
That it was caused by god , or miasma , and linked to the imbalance of the 4 humours
How was water supplied in towns and country sides ?
Town had conduits (lead pipes) and countryside relied on rivers and springs
What health problems did open fires cause ?
Respiratory issues due to smoke in homes
How did people clean themselves in the countryside ?
Bathed in rivers , often polluted by fulling
How was waste managed in towns ?
Gongfermers emptied cesspits into rivers , causing pollution
What was a typical diet like ?
Healthy but simple (bread,ale , pottage , fish) only the rich ate much meat
When did the Black death reach England and what was its impact ?
1348-49 , kiilled 30 to 60% of the population.
What did people believe cause the black death ?
Gods anger , miasma , planets or earthquakes
What treatments were used during the black death ?
Prayer , flagellation , bleeding ,camomile lotion
How did the government respond?
The national government did little , towns were most affected
Why did religious communities have clean water?
For religious ceremonies like baptisms and they sometimes had hospitals and ancient libraries with ancient medical texts
What public health laws existed in towns that needed to be improved ?
Moving dung heaps to town edges
What measures were taken after the black death ?
Inspectors checked for rotten food in shops and ships
What improvements occurred by 1500?
Local governments funded conduits and public toilets (privies)
