Medicine In The Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, there were many approaches to medicine. As seen in the series of documents, different societies treated sickness and healing with a unique means. While some people believed in the power of herbs and nature, others believed in godly wrath or praise. These were not the only forms of treatment either. There were methods we still use today, such as bathing and keep hygienic, to drawing diagrams of a human body to deconstruct a patient’s state. We can examine these sources to see the variety of methods used to treat a sick person, looking at variation in both culture, but also in social views and structure. The first theme we can see is the divine wrath of god. When looking at history during the Middle Ages, it is very important …show more content…
Rather than the treatment itself, I will look at how patients get to be treated- who can be offered medicine. Historically, quality medical treatment has only been available to the rich and privileged, while the rest of the population were left to tend to their own needs. A good example of this exists today, in our own society. In a place where healthcare is not covered by the government, many poor Americans are choose to stay home when they are sick or injured. This lack of treatment can be attributed to the fear of hospital bills or medical expenses. In other countries, healthcare is free to everyone. A similar concept to this existed in Egypt during the 1300s. Ibn Battuta, a Muslim traveler recounted treatment of the sick in Cairo, “Cubicles for patients were ranged round two courts, and at the sides of another quadrangle were wards, lecture rooms, library, baths, dispensary, and every necessary appliance of those days of surgical science. There was even music to cheer the sufferers; while readers of the Koran afforded the consolations of the faith. Rich and poor were treated alike, without fees, and sixty orphans were supported and educated in the neighboring school.” This shows how they give almost everyone access to high-quality healthcare. The system set in place in this society helps paint a picture of what life could have looked like for Egyptians years ago. I believe free healthcare can greatly help societies progress, with fewer people unable to work. In the Middle Ages, there were many approaches to medicine. As I’ve explained above, there were an arsenal of tools and treatments doctors used during the Middle Ages. Some of these treatments include herbs, belief in God/ divine healing, and healthcare for all. Overall, medical practices varied greatly from place to place, until globalization started occurring, largely standardizing medicine and medical treatment for