On the Natural Faculties discuss in great detail the attraction between two different parts of the body, and how such attractions and transformations allow the body to function. One such example of how attraction and transformations facilitate life is that of a fetus attaching itself to the wall of the womb. In short, Galen attests that the matter that creates a fetus must come from an underlying substance, which is then altered. The fetus then grows and develops, with each organ corresponding in moisture, dryness, warmth, and coldness with each of the four humours. The Trotula builds upon the idea, while once again giving the direct credit to Galen. It uses a Galen’s theory of attraction to state how the fetus is attached by ligaments to the wall of the womb, and severe coughing, dysentery, bloodletting, or excessive motion while pregnant can sever the ligaments, and cause the woman to miscarry.
The concept of the soul is not a new one; rather, in the time of The Trotula, it is more deeply ingrained in the daily lives of the people. Galen did argue in favor of the existence of souls, expressing it in
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Galen makes no mention of religion or gods in his treatise, save for exclamations of frustration at other physicians in Zeus’ name. However, the Christian religion is a very prominent and powerful force in the twelfth century, permeating almost every aspect of daily life. The Trotula goes on to state when the soul enters the body of the fetus, the ligaments binding the fetus to the wall of the womb becomes stronger, and the woman is less likely to miscarry. Once the woman is surely pregnant, The Trotula details how to determine the sex of the baby she is carrying. The combination of twelfth century Christian beliefs and Galenic tradition in this particular section is just another plank in the bridge that is The Trotula, connecting antiquity with modern beliefs, and looking even