Since the majority of treatments used were unsuccessful, people spent most of their lives sick and ill.
Example Medieval treatments used include:
Example Medieval treatments used include:
- ‘Surgeons’ (who in most cases were butchers and barbers) carried out all operations. The operations they carried out were usually unsuccessful as they weren’t really qualified for the job and the equipment they used wasn't sterilised and usually led to infections. Towards the end of Medieval Times, it was discovered that alcohol could be used as a basic anaesthetic to aid these operations.
- By the age of 30, most people suffered from extremely painful toothaches and gum problems. Doctors believed that any ‘worms’ knawing on the teeth would fall out of the mouth if a candle was burnt close to the teeth or mouth.
- ‘Blood-letting’ was a form of treatment used to release ‘bad blood’ and relieve pressure. This involved either placing leeches on the patient’s body, or releasing blood with a knife.
- In Medieval Times, The Church was more powerful than the King. It was thought that sickness was a sign of sinning. To forgive these sins and to go to heaven the church stated that saying incarnations/pilgrimages and praying at church would lead to recovery. Shrines and churches which sold ‘holy water’ made you more likely to get better and go to heaven. It was a time where people were terrified of not going to heaven. It was forbidden by Pope Alexander III in 1163CE to study bodies and the human anatomy as it was a time where treatments were starting to develop and the churches’ power was starting to decline. At this time and before, other treatments began being seen by the Church as ‘unreligious’ and as path to hell. It was encouraged to cling to going to heaven and not cling to the life that they were in. People called ‘flagellants,’ whipped themselves as they thought that god was punishing them and that it was a way to forgive sins. When people had ‘evil spirits’ in the head (going crazy, saying things against the doings of god or even just had a headache), a process called ‘trepanning,’ where a hole was cut in the head was used to release the spirits. People rarely survived this operation and other treatments used included the use of sweet-smelling flowers and herbs to purify the air.
- Applying warm butter, onion and garlic were often used to try and stop diseases like the Black Death (1347-1350). An average of 30-40% of all people were likely to die from this disease. Doctors resorted to other treatments like the use of tobacco, drinking arsenic and mercury, lily root and dried toad as well as strapping live chickens around buboes. They also carried nice smelling flowers and herbs to try and purify the air or sat between two large fires. Eating ten-year-old treacle, popping buboes or sitting in the sewers were other treatments used.
- Astrology played a major part in medieval medicines. An example of this is when Mars, Jupiter and Saturn aligned. It was believed that this was the cause of the Black Death
- All forms of accidental minor wounds were treated by pouring vinegar onto that area.
- In Medieval Times, witchcraft was despised by the Church as they believed that Witches were servants of the devil, who was trying to lure people away from religion and make it less popular. The church made witchcraft illegal and anyone who was found to be practising it was arrested, made to confess to practising it and then executed. It was a mixture of herbs, ‘potions’ and religious elements which apparently had the ability to cure the ill.