Diseases and Cures in the Middle Ages: A Deep Dive into Medical Practices

The medical landscape of the Middle Ages was vastly different from that of today. During this period, medical knowledge and practices were limited, and the understanding of diseases and cures was largely influenced by religious beliefs, superstitions, and a primitive understanding of human anatomy and physiology.

Types of Medieval Hospitals and Their Functions

There were four primary types of hospitals during the Middle Ages:

Leprosy Hospitals: These hospitals specialized in the care of lepers, who were often marginalized and lived in their own communities. They provided basic medical care and support for patients. Pilgrim Hospitals: These facilities served poor and sick pilgrims, providing them with rest, food, and medical care during their journeys. Almshouses: Also known as bedehouses, these institutions cared for the poor and infirm. They often included a chapel where residents would pray for the souls of the house’s founders and benefactors. General Hospitals: Present in the later stages of the Middle Ages, these hospitals catered to a broader range of patients, offering basic medical care and services.

Early hospitals, such as St John’s Hospital in Canterbury, were often segregated by gender. Separate dormitories and chapels ensured that the care and prayers provided for the sick were gender-specific, reflecting the religious and cultural norms of the time. Patients in St Andrew’s Hospital at Hythe, Kent, were required to pray daily for their benefactors, emphasizing the interconnection between religious practice and medical care.

Medical Practices and Treatments Offered in the Middle Ages

The available methods for treating various ailments during the Middle Ages included:

Bloodletting: This practice involved the removal of blood from the patient's body to balance the humors. Methods included suctioning and applying leeches. Charms and Spells: Many people believed in the power of charms and spells to ward off and cure diseases. These practices were often combined with more traditional medical treatments. Herbal Remedies: Apothecaries used herbal infusions to treat various conditions, such as bringing on a miscarriage, treating infections, and even attempted abortions. Cataract Treatment: Some early forms of cataract surgery were attempted, using needles to remove the cataracts. Astrology: The belief that the stars and celestial bodies had an influence on health and illness was prevalent. Astrological consultations were sometimes combined with medical treatments. General Care: Simple feeding and washing were provided to patients, with the belief that cleanliness could help prevent and cure certain diseases. Theriak: A combination of herbs and viper venom, this concoction was believed to be an antidote to various poisons.

It is important to note that these medical practices were based on a primitive understanding of the human body and disease. The concept of antibiotics, which revolutionized medical treatment, was non-existent during the Middle Ages. As a result, curing many diseases was nearly impossible without them.

The Role of Religion in Medicine

The Catholic Church played a significant role in the medical practices of the Middle Ages. The belief was that illnesses were often a punishment from God, reflecting a society where religious and medical practices were often intertwined. Doctors and healers frequently integrated religious rituals and prayers into their treatments, hoping to align the patient's soul with God's will.

The Church also recognized the importance of prayer and intercession by saints in the healing process. This practice was common in almshouses and hospitals, where regular prayers were offered for the souls of the sick and the founders of these institutions.

In conclusion, the medical practices of the Middle Ages, while often primitive by today's standards, were a reflection of the knowledge, beliefs, and cultural norms of the time. The limited availability of proper treatment, combined with the religious and superstitious elements of the society, made it challenging to effectively cure many diseases.