Advancements in Medicine The Black Death Essay - 1208 Words

During the Middle Ages, medicine was limited. This was critical because in 1348-1350 the Black Death killed millions, nearly one third of the population. Physicians had no idea what was causing diseases or how to stop them (Medicine in the Middle). The Catholic Church told its people the illness was punishment from God for their sins (Gates 9). Some of the only procedures doctors could perform was letting blood by using leeches, and mix ‘medicines’ using herbs, spices, and resins (Rooney 106-107). Other medicine was administered by drinks, ointments, poultices, baths, and purges (Rooney 120). One hundred years later, when Constantinople fell to the Turks in 1453, many scholars moved to Italy, where they freely exchanged ideas. With them†¦show more content†¦The church taught that illness was a punishment from God, and people saw no point in trying to find cures because they naively agreed with the church (Gates 9). If the people tried to find a cure, they would be accused of making a move against God by the church. Instead, the Church just wanted prayer, devotion, and faith and the Church discouraged the use of herbal remedies. This caused friction between the Church and physicians (Nordqvist). In the Renaissance time, there were not barbers and surgeons as we know them today. Barber surgeons could be found in most medieval towns and, as well as cutting hair, were also known for small surgical procedures (McPeak, Commissioner). A regular surgeon however, tended to be known by reputation as much as qualification (Bellerby). Barber surgeons also happened to be more common because all you would need is an apprenticeship to be eligible to do the job (Gates 13). Whereas, becoming a surgeon would take six years of schooling (Dawson 24). After the six years of schooling, many times if the surgeon was successful, royal and noble families would call upon them. A barber surgeon handled all of the minor surgeries, and even some of the major ones if the people were too poor to see a surgeon. Some of the things barber surgeons did were that they cut hair, pull teeth, and blood letting to keep you in good health, and remove swords, knives, and arrows from battles. The barber surgeonsShow MoreRelatedIs It A Human Incubator For Viruses?968 Words   |  4 Pagesor more severity of the Black Death to happen. The available access to medical assistance and hygiene, advancement in medicine, and all the information help with preventing that from occurring. The world in the 1300s did not have these type of luxuries like the 21st century had to offer. This made the spread of viruses easier. Starting with the Middle Ages, access to medical help was limited. The clergy and some of the wealthy were only ones permitted to practice medicine at the time. 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