Medieval medicine might seem bizarre today, but it was based... Show more
History
English Literature
Sociology
BiologySign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
579
•
Updated Mar 23, 2026
•
The Influence of Hippocrates and Galen on Medieval Medicine
B
Bea
@ea_e01zhqou9fs9k3x3s
1 / 5
Ancient Ideas - The Work of Hippocrates
Hippocrates (born around 460BC) earned the title "father of modern medicine" for good reason. He created the Hippocratic Oath - a promise doctors still make today to treat patients confidentially and do no harm.
His biggest contribution was the theory of four humours: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. Hippocrates believed illness happened when these four substances got out of balance in your body. The humours were also linked to different seasons, making this a comprehensive system for understanding health.
What made Hippocrates revolutionary was his focus on natural causes rather than supernatural explanations for disease. He encouraged clinical observation - actually watching and examining patients instead of just guessing what was wrong.
Key Point: The Hippocratic Corpus (his written works) spread his ideas across the ancient world, influencing medicine for centuries to come.
Ancient Ideas - The Work of Galen
Galen (born AD129) took Hippocrates' ideas and ran with them. This Roman doctor developed the theory of opposites - essentially a treatment manual for balancing the four humours.
Galen made genuine discoveries through animal dissection, like proving the brain controls speech. However, his reliance on animals instead of human bodies led to serious mistakes. He wrongly claimed blood passed through tiny holes in the heart's wall, when it actually flows through veins and arteries.
Medieval people had access to both natural and supernatural treatments. Supernatural methods included prayer, astrology, and trepanning (drilling holes in skulls). Natural treatments, encouraged by Hippocrates and Galen, included bloodletting and herbal remedies.
Remember: Galen's mistakes weren't corrected until much later because dissecting humans was forbidden, so doctors had to rely on his animal-based observations.
Treatments Based on the Four Humours
The theory of opposites dominated medieval medicine for centuries. If someone had a cold with a runny nose, doctors believed the body was naturally expelling excess phlegm - so they'd help this process along.
Bloodletting was incredibly common because nosebleeds were seen as the body's way of removing surplus blood. Doctors thought they were simply supporting what the body already wanted to do. Other treatments included purging (making people vomit) and herbal remedies.
Medieval doctors were actually quite observant, carefully watching symptoms to decide which humour was out of balance. This systematic approach meant treatments weren't just random - they followed logical rules based on the four humours theory.
Timeline Tip: These ideas lasted until 1861 when Louis Pasteur developed germ theory, finally explaining what really caused disease.
Providers of Treatment in Medieval Times
Your social class determined what kind of medical care you could access in medieval times. Monasteries served as local hospitals, offering treatments based on prayer and herbal knowledge passed down by monks.
Local wise women were the go-to healers for most ordinary people. They used traditional herbal remedies and folk knowledge that families had shared for generations. These women often had extensive practical experience but no formal training.
Wealthy people could hire private physicians who'd studied at university. These doctors had learned to read Latin and studied the works of Hippocrates and Galen, making them the most "scientific" practitioners of their time.
Social Reality: Most people never saw a university-trained doctor - they relied on monasteries, wise women, or tried to treat themselves using whatever remedies they could find or afford.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Most popular content: Medieval Medicine
Most popular content in History
Most popular content
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.6/5
App Store
4.7/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The Influence of Hippocrates and Galen on Medieval Medicine
B
Bea
@ea_e01zhqou9fs9k3x3s
Medieval medicine might seem bizarre today, but it was based on ancient Greek and Roman ideas that dominated healthcare for over 1,000 years. Understanding how doctors like Hippocrates and Galen shaped medical thinking helps explain why medieval treatments often mixed... Show more
Ancient Ideas - The Work of Hippocrates
Hippocrates (born around 460BC) earned the title "father of modern medicine" for good reason. He created the Hippocratic Oath - a promise doctors still make today to treat patients confidentially and do no harm.
His biggest contribution was the theory of four humours: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. Hippocrates believed illness happened when these four substances got out of balance in your body. The humours were also linked to different seasons, making this a comprehensive system for understanding health.
What made Hippocrates revolutionary was his focus on natural causes rather than supernatural explanations for disease. He encouraged clinical observation - actually watching and examining patients instead of just guessing what was wrong.
Key Point: The Hippocratic Corpus (his written works) spread his ideas across the ancient world, influencing medicine for centuries to come.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Ancient Ideas - The Work of Galen
Galen (born AD129) took Hippocrates' ideas and ran with them. This Roman doctor developed the theory of opposites - essentially a treatment manual for balancing the four humours.
Galen made genuine discoveries through animal dissection, like proving the brain controls speech. However, his reliance on animals instead of human bodies led to serious mistakes. He wrongly claimed blood passed through tiny holes in the heart's wall, when it actually flows through veins and arteries.
Medieval people had access to both natural and supernatural treatments. Supernatural methods included prayer, astrology, and trepanning (drilling holes in skulls). Natural treatments, encouraged by Hippocrates and Galen, included bloodletting and herbal remedies.
Remember: Galen's mistakes weren't corrected until much later because dissecting humans was forbidden, so doctors had to rely on his animal-based observations.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Treatments Based on the Four Humours
The theory of opposites dominated medieval medicine for centuries. If someone had a cold with a runny nose, doctors believed the body was naturally expelling excess phlegm - so they'd help this process along.
Bloodletting was incredibly common because nosebleeds were seen as the body's way of removing surplus blood. Doctors thought they were simply supporting what the body already wanted to do. Other treatments included purging (making people vomit) and herbal remedies.
Medieval doctors were actually quite observant, carefully watching symptoms to decide which humour was out of balance. This systematic approach meant treatments weren't just random - they followed logical rules based on the four humours theory.
Timeline Tip: These ideas lasted until 1861 when Louis Pasteur developed germ theory, finally explaining what really caused disease.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Providers of Treatment in Medieval Times
Your social class determined what kind of medical care you could access in medieval times. Monasteries served as local hospitals, offering treatments based on prayer and herbal knowledge passed down by monks.
Local wise women were the go-to healers for most ordinary people. They used traditional herbal remedies and folk knowledge that families had shared for generations. These women often had extensive practical experience but no formal training.
Wealthy people could hire private physicians who'd studied at university. These doctors had learned to read Latin and studied the works of Hippocrates and Galen, making them the most "scientific" practitioners of their time.
Social Reality: Most people never saw a university-trained doctor - they relied on monasteries, wise women, or tried to treat themselves using whatever remedies they could find or afford.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
16
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay
Most popular content: Medieval Medicine
Most popular content in History
Most popular content
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.6/5
App Store
4.7/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user