Middle Ages - Developments in Medicine (Q1)

MIDDLE AGES - MEDICAL IDEAS

Alchemy

What is Alchemy?

• Developed by Greeks hundered of years before
• Early type of science in middle ages
  • Mixture of science, philosphy and mysticism
• The belief that base metals could be turned into other meterials
  • In terms of medicine this meant: base metals could be turned into drugs and potions to cure disease or ease pain
  • Involved making herbal medicines contsaing precious gems or metals

Impact

• No real impact on medical knowledge
• Developed scientific ideas and techniques
  • Chemical Reactions 
  • Apparatus - flasks, beakers, funnels
  • Chemicals - Hydrochloric Acid, Sodium Carbonate

Limitations

• Based on superstitions and supernatural hunches

Zodiac Man Charts and Astrology

What is A Zodiac man Chart?

• Important to medieval doctors
• Gave details on how each part of the body was affected by the stars and planets
  • e.g Aries ruled the head - If patiens star sign is Aries doctors avoided cutting veins here. Same with pices and the feet.

What is Astrology?

• Influence if Stars and planets on human events
• Planets were though to cause disease
  • doctors expected to have good knowledge of planets, stars and its affect on health
• Seen just as important as a physical examination
  • perhaps more so which sometimes led to no examination being preformed

Impact and limitations of both

• No development in medical knowledge - COMPLETELY WRONG
• Largely based on superstion - no scientific/natural ideas

The Theory…