Medical Practices During The Elizabethan Era

The Elizabethan Era is known as the “golden age” in English history. The era was named after Queen Elizabeth I who reigned England from 1558-1603. Also known as the Virgin Queen, she was considered by many to be the greatest monarch in English history. The time period of which she ruled was a very important milestone in the world of literature and theatre, bringing us the writings of renowned poet, William Shakespeare. While the era did have its highlights, not every aspect of the society was positive. Medical practices were not very well developed in this age. Death rates in this period of time were extremely high. While there was health care, it did not help much. It wasn’t uncommon to see someone die from something such as a cold which could easily be treated nowadays. Elizabethan medicine did not benefit those a part of the society due to underdeveloped knowledge of diseases and what caused them.

The highest among them were physicians. In order to become a physician one had to be trained learned. They were trained at the College of Physicians which was founded in 1518 (Shakespeare). They wore long, black robes, and beak masks that protected them from contracting illnesses from patients. Few people could afford them though. Those who could not, normally turned to the local wise woman. There were also people known as apothecaries who were essentially the pharmacists of the era. Housewives also made homemade potions and concoctions. Barbers were the people who pulled teeth or let blood. Most of these other kinds of doctors, did not go to school like their university trained