Medicine's Effect On Medieval Europe

Paytyn Dyer

World History

Ms. Penrose

23 May 2023

Medicine’s Effect on Medieval Europe As time has gone on, societies have built upon past medical knowledge. In the Middle Ages, physicians adapted medicinal ideas from the Romans, Byzantines, Greeks, and Muslims. Within the realm of medieval medicine, there are various aspects. Medieval medicine not only includes physical medicine and practices used, but also inventions and innovations that developed medical technology. The attitudes citizens had toward these medicines were also a key part of medieval Europe's development. All aspects of medieval medicine were fundamental to the development of Europe as a whole. Specifically, the medical practices, innovations, and the way society viewed medicine

However, many unique practices were used in Europe. Firstly, early European physicians viewed illness as a result of an imbalance of the humors. The humors they believed in are connected to the elements of nature: fire, water, earth, and air (Hajar). These humors included blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile (Hajar). Moreover, medieval physicians used leeching, bleeding, and cupping to remedy these imbalances. In addition, another practice that was used throughout the Middle Ages in Europe was using plants as medicine. Apothecaries and monks had a wide range of knowledge about the benefits of certain herbs and plants. For instance, a combination of henbane and hemlock was used to ease aching joints. Lung problems were managed with licorice and comfrey medicine (Hajar). Consequently, these practices formed Europe into a society centered around the natural world. The healing that nature brought to medieval Europe shaped society to focus on the world around them. Believing in these humors made the medieval society feel they were connected to nature directly. Relying on the earth for medicine also strengthened the relationship between medieval citizens and the

In every society, views differ; however, most views on medicine followed a particular trend. Society saw medicine as holy. Citizens believed that a doctor was similar to a divine being, preserving life. Additionally, “specialized knowledge and the power of healing … were associated with the sacred and the divine.” (Laurel). Furthermore, society viewed diseases as punishment from God (Laurel). This view can be attributed to medieval Europe’s return to religious medicine. As a result, “medical knowledge and skill were claimed by monks.” (Nespoli et al.). These non-secular or religious views on medicine delayed the medical development of medieval Europe. Conversely, many other societies at the time, such as the Muslim world, were blossoming with medical innovations. The religious views expressed by the church influenced the citizens of medieval Europe to be “less progressive” in their medical discoveries