Medieval medicine of Western Europe

Medieval Medicine of Western Europe refers to the healing practices and beliefs prevalent in Western Europe during the Middle Ages, a period roughly spanning from the 5th to the 15th century. This era was characterized by a blend of medical knowledge from various sources, including Ancient Greek, Roman, Islamic, and Celtic traditions, as well as new discoveries and interpretations.

Origins and Influences

Medieval medicine's roots can be traced back to the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome. The works of Hippocrates and Galen were particularly influential, with their theories on humoral balance and disease causation forming the basis of medical understanding for centuries.

The fall of the Western Roman Empire led to the loss and scattering of much classical medical knowledge. However, the Islamic Golden Age saw the preservation and expansion of this knowledge, with scholars like Avicenna and Rhazes making significant contributions. This knowledge was later reintroduced to Western Europe via the Crusades and the Reconquista, influencing the development of medical theory and practice.

Practices and Beliefs

Medieval medicine was heavily influenced by religion, particularly Christianity. Illness was often seen as a punishment for sin, and healing could involve prayer, pilgrimage, and other religious rites, alongside more practical treatments.

The theory of humoral balance, inherited from the Greeks and Romans, remained central to medical thought. According to this theory, the body contained four humors - blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile - and illness was caused by an imbalance of these humors. Treatments often involved attempts to restore this balance, such as through diet, bloodletting, and the use of herbal remedies.

Surgery was also practiced, although it was considered a last resort due to the high risk of infection. Surgeons, or barber-surgeons, as they were often known, performed a range of procedures, from tooth extractions to amputations.

Institutions and Practitioners

Medical care in the Middle Ages was provided by a range of practitioners, from itinerant healers and midwives to trained physicians and surgeons. Monasteries and convents often served as hospitals, providing care for the sick and injured.

The later Middle Ages saw the establishment of medical schools, such as those at Salerno and Montpellier, where students could study medicine based on the works of Galen, Avicenna, and other classical and Islamic scholars.

Legacy

While often viewed as a period of medical stagnation, the Middle Ages in fact saw significant developments in medical knowledge and practice. The reintroduction of classical texts, the influence of Islamic medicine, and the establishment of medical schools all contributed to the foundation of modern Western medicine.