History > HTP Part 1 The Middle Ages (1000-1500) Medicine Stand Still

Hippocrates

460BC

-”father of modern medicine”

• developed idea of 4 humours + Hippocratic Oath (promise)

what were the 4 humours

blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile

Galen

129AD

-theory of opposites > based on hippocrates 4 humours

-proved brain controlled body not the heart

-promoted observation + dissection

Medieval beliefs about CAUSES of illness (4BAG)

• punishment from God > people prayed

• Bad Air (miasma) > used herbs as an air purification

• Astrology > aligning treatment with planetary movement

• Unbalanced humours > bloodletting, purging, herbs, diet

Physicians

for rich only, training was observation and Galen

Barber Surgeons

(Cheaper, trained as apprentices, cut hair, amputations, bloodletting)

-Wise Women

member of the house, herbal remedies, supernatural cures

Quacks

relied on charisma and acting, aimed at the rich

Contribution of the CHURCH on Medieval Medicine

-supported Galen

-Saved Greek+ Roman medical books from destruction

-Set up Hospitals (food+ rest)

-Prayed to God

How did ISLAMIC medicine preserve knowledge

translated Greek + Roman medical books into Arabic which would’ve otherwise been lost

ISLAMIC key individuals

Al-Zahrawi> invented over 100 surgical instruments, and surgical techniques

Al-Razi> first to distinguish between smallpox + measles, emphasised importance of observation

Ibn Sina> wrote “The Canon of Medicine” which was the standard medical textbook for over 500 years

Surgical Techniques

-Treppaning > hole in head to release bad spirits (resulted in death)

-Cauterisation > sealing wounds with heat (bad burns)

-Opium +Hemlock > used as anaesthetics to make people drowsy for procedures

-Measuring colour and tasting Urine

John ARDENE

“First English Surgeon”

• famous for high success rate

• made pain killing ointment (rose oil, turpentine, egg yolk)

• urged to not rely on G+H

John BRADMORE

-created BRADMORE SCREW to remove arrowheads

-used it on Henry VI son

Problems with PUBLIC HEALTH

-streets + rivers filled with sewage, dead animals, dung, ect

• caused diseases to spread quickly

Public Health Improvements

-Muck Rackers > removed filth

-tax of 40p for dumping waste

-built toilets

-gong farmers> cleaned drains

When was the Black Death

1348

Black Death BACTERIA

Yersinia Pestis > from Asia, carried by rats + fleas

Bubonic Plague vs Pneunomic Plague

Bubonic> carried by rats, causes swellings called buboes on lymph nodes

Pneunomic > made it worse, spread through coughing and sneezing, 100% death rate

Black death PREVENTIONS

-people stopped strangers entering their villages

-daily services to pray for forgiveness

-lit herbs for miasma

-Flagellants whipped themselves for forgiveness for their sins

Black Death TREATMENTS

Prayers, bloodletting (leeches), holy charms, theory of opposites

IMPACTS of Black Death

1/3 of Medieval England died > more money for survivors so a better quality life

When was the Great Plague

1665

The Great Plague

-Caused by Yersinia Pestis again

-More understanding + planned action from authorities

Practical Responses for the Great Plague

quarantines, cleaning as opposed to religion/ancient medicine in 1348