Medicine in the Middle Ages :: essays research papers

Medicine in the Middle Ages We are very well-off today. When we are sick we go and see the doctor, and he or she potbelly usually make us better with the use of medicinal drug. It wasnt alike(p) this in the medieval era. People didnt live very massive at all. Two out of every 10 babies died in the startle year of life and most heap didnt live ancient 40. Wealthy hoi polloi, who could afford trained doctors might live up to 10 years longer.There werent many trained doctors in atomic number 63 in the Middle Ages . In Paris in 1274 there were yet 8 doctors and about 40 people practising medicine without any formalised training and they didnt really understand how the body worked and why people got sick. When making a diagnosis doctors might consult medical books, astrological charts and urine samples. whatever doctors believed disease was caused by bad smells or humiliated worms, or the position of the planets or stars. They also charged very steep fees, so only the rich c ould afford them.Although surgical operations were performed, they did non know about sanitisation and there were no anaesthetics. Most patients died from transmittal or shock.Many people didnt believe in medicine at all. The most commonly used treatment was prayer. Ordinary people relied on methods their parents and grandparents used, such as lucky charms, magic spells and herbal cures. Some of the herbal cures were quite useful.The monks who looked after sick travellers in the monasteries were very skilled in using herbs. Some modern medicines are based on the herbs used in medieval times.In the 13th century Kings were believed to be able to cure illness, particularly the skin disease scrofula, just by touching the ill person.During the 14th century most of Europe was strike by a devastating disease called the Black Death, or bubonic plague. This disease was carried by flees which lived on rats. When the rats died, the flees jumped onto humans and spread the disease. Even thou gh the Black Death was controlled in Europe by 1351, it came back on a regular basis over the next 150 years. Dr Medi Evil has kindly agreed to get on to the school today to help solve some of your medical problems.hullo everyone. Now Rachel, I believe you have the fever. This is because you have too oft blood. I will put blood sucking leaches on you and this should desex your problem.