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Sophie
12/12/2025
History
Medicine through time medieval 1250-1500
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12 Dec 2025
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Medieval Medicine 1250-1500: Causes and Prevention of Diseases
Sophie
@sophie_ptit
1 / 8
Medicine Through Time: The Medieval Period
During the 13th to 16th centuries, medieval medicine was completely different from what we know today. People didn't understand germs or bacteria, so they came up with creative explanations for why people got sick.
This period shows how religion, superstition, and early scientific ideas all mixed together. Understanding these beliefs helps explain why medical progress was so slow during these centuries.
Three Main Causes of Disease
Medieval people believed illnesses had three main causes: religious, supernatural, and rational. Each type of cause led to completely different treatments and prevention methods.
These weren't competing ideas - most people believed in all three at the same time! A single illness might be blamed on sin, bad air, and planetary alignment simultaneously.
Key Point: People genuinely believed these explanations made perfect sense based on their understanding of the world.
Religious Causes of Disease
Many believed that God sent diseases as punishment for sins or to test people's faith. The Church actively supported this idea because it proved God's power and existence.
Biblical examples like leprosy being punishment for sin gave people concrete "proof" of this theory. The Church also taught that the devil could send illness to test someone's religious devotion.
This wasn't just superstition to medieval people - it was logical based on their religious worldview and what they'd been taught since childhood.
Remember: The Church was incredibly powerful and controlled most education, so religious explanations dominated medical thinking.
Supernatural Causes of Disease
Astrology played a huge role in medieval medicine. People genuinely believed that planetary alignment could cause diseases - many blamed the Black Death on unfortunate star positions.
Physicians actually used star charts to diagnose patients, checking which planets were in certain positions when someone fell ill. This wasn't seen as silly - it was considered proper medical practice.
Astrology seemed logical because people observed that seasons affected health, so they assumed celestial bodies must influence human bodies too.
Fun Fact: Medieval physicians spent more time studying star charts than examining actual patients!
Rational Causes of Disease
The most "scientific" medieval theory was the four humours, which dominated medical thinking for centuries. People also believed in practical causes like contagion and bad air.
Miasma theory suggested that diseases spread through rotten fumes in the air. This actually led to some sensible precautions, like banishing lepers from communities because people feared their breath.
Physicians examined urine colour, thickness, smell, and even taste to diagnose illnesses. Whilst gross by today's standards, this showed early attempts at systematic medical observation.
Think About It: Some of these "rational" ideas weren't completely wrong - bad air and avoiding sick people can sometimes prevent disease!
The Four Humours Theory
Hippocrates (5th century BC) created this theory, claiming human bodies contained four fluids: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Illness meant these humours were imbalanced.
Galen (2nd century AD) expanded the theory, linking humours to elements and seasons. His theory of opposites meant treating "cold" illnesses with "hot" remedies - like eating spicy chillies for a cold.
This system seemed brilliant to medieval people because it could explain any symptom. Got a headache? Too much blood. Feeling sluggish? Excess phlegm. Simple!
Key Insight: The four humours dominated medicine for over 1,000 years because it provided neat explanations when people desperately wanted answers.
Why the Four Humours Lasted So Long
The four humours theory dominated medieval medicine because it seemed incredibly detailed and scientific. Physicians could explain any illness, even if they had to lie or stretch the truth to fit their theory.
Medical training focused entirely on reading ancient texts for five years rather than practical experience. When dissections contradicted the theory, physicians claimed it was because they were examining "imperfect" criminals.
The Church supported these ideas because they fitted with Biblical creation stories. With high illiteracy rates, people relied completely on Church-approved medical knowledge.
Reality Check: Medieval medicine prioritised ancient authority over actual observation - a recipe for medical stagnation!
Methods of Prevention
Religious prevention included regular prayers, confession, and paying tithes to stay in God's good favour. People genuinely believed spiritual health prevented physical illness.
Supernatural methods involved chanting, wearing lucky charms and amulets, or listening to cheerful music to drive away evil spirits and bad influences.
Rational prevention included regimen sanitatis (healthy living rules), quarantine, avoiding sick relatives, and bathing regularly. People also tried eating specific foods like blanc mangier (chicken and almond dish) and keeping air free from miasma.
Interesting Note: Some medieval prevention methods - like quarantine and cleanliness - actually worked, even though the reasoning was wrong!
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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.
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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.
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Elisha
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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
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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 THE SCHOOLGPT. 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
Medieval Medicine 1250-1500: Causes and Prevention of Diseases
Sophie
@sophie_ptit
Medicine between 1250-1500 was a fascinating mix of religious faith, superstition, and early scientific thinking. People had wildly different ideas about what caused illness - from God's punishment to planetary alignment to imbalanced bodily fluids!
Medicine Through Time: The Medieval Period
During the 13th to 16th centuries, medieval medicine was completely different from what we know today. People didn't understand germs or bacteria, so they came up with creative explanations for why people got sick.
This period shows how religion, superstition, and early scientific ideas all mixed together. Understanding these beliefs helps explain why medical progress was so slow during these centuries.
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Three Main Causes of Disease
Medieval people believed illnesses had three main causes: religious, supernatural, and rational. Each type of cause led to completely different treatments and prevention methods.
These weren't competing ideas - most people believed in all three at the same time! A single illness might be blamed on sin, bad air, and planetary alignment simultaneously.
Key Point: People genuinely believed these explanations made perfect sense based on their understanding of the world.
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Religious Causes of Disease
Many believed that God sent diseases as punishment for sins or to test people's faith. The Church actively supported this idea because it proved God's power and existence.
Biblical examples like leprosy being punishment for sin gave people concrete "proof" of this theory. The Church also taught that the devil could send illness to test someone's religious devotion.
This wasn't just superstition to medieval people - it was logical based on their religious worldview and what they'd been taught since childhood.
Remember: The Church was incredibly powerful and controlled most education, so religious explanations dominated medical thinking.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Supernatural Causes of Disease
Astrology played a huge role in medieval medicine. People genuinely believed that planetary alignment could cause diseases - many blamed the Black Death on unfortunate star positions.
Physicians actually used star charts to diagnose patients, checking which planets were in certain positions when someone fell ill. This wasn't seen as silly - it was considered proper medical practice.
Astrology seemed logical because people observed that seasons affected health, so they assumed celestial bodies must influence human bodies too.
Fun Fact: Medieval physicians spent more time studying star charts than examining actual patients!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Rational Causes of Disease
The most "scientific" medieval theory was the four humours, which dominated medical thinking for centuries. People also believed in practical causes like contagion and bad air.
Miasma theory suggested that diseases spread through rotten fumes in the air. This actually led to some sensible precautions, like banishing lepers from communities because people feared their breath.
Physicians examined urine colour, thickness, smell, and even taste to diagnose illnesses. Whilst gross by today's standards, this showed early attempts at systematic medical observation.
Think About It: Some of these "rational" ideas weren't completely wrong - bad air and avoiding sick people can sometimes prevent disease!
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The Four Humours Theory
Hippocrates (5th century BC) created this theory, claiming human bodies contained four fluids: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Illness meant these humours were imbalanced.
Galen (2nd century AD) expanded the theory, linking humours to elements and seasons. His theory of opposites meant treating "cold" illnesses with "hot" remedies - like eating spicy chillies for a cold.
This system seemed brilliant to medieval people because it could explain any symptom. Got a headache? Too much blood. Feeling sluggish? Excess phlegm. Simple!
Key Insight: The four humours dominated medicine for over 1,000 years because it provided neat explanations when people desperately wanted answers.
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Why the Four Humours Lasted So Long
The four humours theory dominated medieval medicine because it seemed incredibly detailed and scientific. Physicians could explain any illness, even if they had to lie or stretch the truth to fit their theory.
Medical training focused entirely on reading ancient texts for five years rather than practical experience. When dissections contradicted the theory, physicians claimed it was because they were examining "imperfect" criminals.
The Church supported these ideas because they fitted with Biblical creation stories. With high illiteracy rates, people relied completely on Church-approved medical knowledge.
Reality Check: Medieval medicine prioritised ancient authority over actual observation - a recipe for medical stagnation!
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Methods of Prevention
Religious prevention included regular prayers, confession, and paying tithes to stay in God's good favour. People genuinely believed spiritual health prevented physical illness.
Supernatural methods involved chanting, wearing lucky charms and amulets, or listening to cheerful music to drive away evil spirits and bad influences.
Rational prevention included regimen sanitatis (healthy living rules), quarantine, avoiding sick relatives, and bathing regularly. People also tried eating specific foods like blanc mangier (chicken and almond dish) and keeping air free from miasma.
Interesting Note: Some medieval prevention methods - like quarantine and cleanliness - actually worked, even though the reasoning was wrong!
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.
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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 THE SCHOOLGPT. 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 THE SCHOOLGPT. 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