Diseases

Diseases were very common throughout the Medieval Period mainly due to lack of proper diet and poor hygiene. Some of the most common diseases were dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever, chicken pox, measles, and black plague to name a few.

People mostly caught diseases because they had very small houses and had to sleep in rooms with sheep, cows, and horses. These animals were a common source of fleas and hence diseases as poor people couldn’t afford to take a bath and wash their clothes more frequently.

Medieval diseases – Skin Diseases

Skin diseases were mostly caused by poor hygiene and were common among the poor peasants and townspeople. Lice, bedbugs, fleas and other insects lived in the rough wool clothing that they wore. These insects irritated their skin and caused infection. People had to bring water from nearby wells or rivers in order to take a bath. They found it very difficult and used to take a bath only once a week or less.

Medieval diseases – Scurvy

Scurvy was caused by the shortage of Vitamin C intake due to poor diets. Scurvy made gums spongy and loosened the teeth. As people were poor so they couldn’t afford fresh fruits that were the source of vitamin C.

Medieval diseases – Dysentery, Typhoid Fever, and Cholera

People suffered from serious diseases such as dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera, and diarrhea mainly due to dirty water and foods infected by bacteria. People thought these diseases were caused by eating raw fruits and vegetables, whereas it wasn’t the case. People used to vomit after having stomach viruses and food poisonings.

Medieval diseases – Measles, Smallpox, and Chicken Pox

Many diseases spread due to human interaction as viruses spread. Skin diseases like measles, smallpox and chicken pox caused scarring of the skin, blisters, high fevers and in some cases deaths.

Medieval diseases – Diphtheria, Influenza, and Whooping Cough

Due to viruses, people suffered from severe throat and chest infections with diseases such as diphtheria, influenza and whooping cough. These diseases spread quickly from town to town in a very short period of time and killed many people.

Medieval diseases – Leprosy

Among people, Leprosy was one of the most threatening. Leprosy had a direct impact on a person’s skin, eyes, nerves, and breathing. People suffering from leprosy could lose their fingers, toes and even the tips of their noses. There were separate houses called “leproseries” for the sick as it was thought that leprosy was a contagious disease. People with leprosy were separated from their families and had to live their lives in seclusion. Lepers had special dresses for public appearing in order to warn people that they were coming and also rattled their clappers or bells. It was the church’s responsibility to take care of such people.

Medieval health cures and medicine.

Bloodletting

Bloodletting was one of the most frequently employed medieval health cures. It was supposed to relieve a wide range of health issues. Bloodletting tied in with the medieval belief that health issues were caused by an imbalance in the vital fluids of the body. This belief was common among the Greek and Romans and became a part of Western medicine during the medieval ages.

As a result, doctors would prescribe bloodletting for a wide range of diseases including serious illnesses such as the plague. During the medieval period, bloodletting became so common a medical recourse that barbers began offering it as a part of their services. The amount of blood to be removed through bloodletting often depended upon the nature of the ailment that was to be treated.

Arrow wound cure

On the battlefield, the most serious wounds for the injured were those caused by the arrows. Arrows would typically pierce the body of the victim and lodge themselves inside. It was then up to the physician to attempt to remove the arrow without causing further internal damage and to close the wound as soon as possible.

One way of doing this was to use a curious spoon which was inserted into the wound and was wrapped around the corners of the arrow, making it possible for the physician to pull out the arrow with minimal internal damage. As soon as the arrow was successfully removed, hot irons were used to cauterize the wound and seal it shut to mitigate the possibility of infection.

Cure for broken bones

Broken bones were a common type of injury for soldiers during sieges. Sieges typically involved many soldiers scaling the walls of a hostile castle and of these, many would fall to have their bones broken. Medieval physicians would then heal such bone breakage by attempting to realign the bone along with its natural position or as close as possible and then hold it there with the aid of a plaster mold. Medieval plaster mold were often made by using egg whites and flour and were aimed at immobilizing the bone so that it could recoup at its original position.

Cure for deep blade wounds

Simply blade wounds were cured with the help of potions and bandaging by medieval physicians. However, if the blade of a knife or a sword penetrated deep into a part of the body, it often occasioned an amputation. Medieval physicians would then securely place the damaged limb of the patient on a piece of wood and then cut through the soft tissue, eventually sawing through the bone. This operation was completed in nearly a minute and in another few minutes, bleeding was stopped and the wound was bandaged securely.

A selection of herbs used in medieval times

Anise (Pimpinella anisum), a licorice scented ferny annual. The seeds were used to treat gas and to induce sweating, as well as in sweets and candies.

Balm, Lemon, aka Melissa (Melissa officinalis), a lemon scented spreading perennial. A food, a furniture polish, and as a charm for bees and an aid against melancholy.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum), a fleshy-leaved perennial. Used in cooking-- for potage or boiled greens, in green pickles.

Calamus, aka Sweet Flag (Acorus Calamus), the rushes of sweet flag were strewn on the floors of medieval houses; the roots were dried and ground for use in body powders.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), the bark of an Asian tree. Used in cooking, including soups and meats as well as candies and cookies.

Cloves (Syzyium aromaticum), the fruits of a tropical tree. Used in cooking and as an antiseptic and painkiller.

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), a fringy annual. The seeds were used for cooking and to deter fevers.

Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile, or Anthemis nobilis; German chamomile Matricaria chamomilla): a short, creeping fringy annual with daisylike flowers. Used in handwashing waters and for headaches. Lawns and garden seats were planted with chamomile, for it 'smells the sweeter for being trodden on'.

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum), the seed of an annual plant. Used in cooking and to treat gas.

Flax (Linum usitatissium), the plants of flax make linen, and the seeds cooked in water made a laxative and invalid's porridge;a flax seed, placed in the eye, helped remove foreign bodies because of the mucilage it exudes.

Frankincense (Boswellia Thurifera), The resin from a tree. Used for incense and in medicine.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale), an Indian root plant. Used in food, including gingerbread, cakes, meats and sidedishes. Its warmth was used medicinally to treat stomach problems, and as a remedy for the plague.

Horehound (Marrubium vulgare), a wooly short perennial. Horehound cough syrups and drinks were prescribed for chesty and head-colds and coughs.

Lavender (Lavendula officinalis, Lavendula vera, Lavendula spica, Lavendula stoechas), the dried flowers of, were used in food, and in refreshing washes for headaches; a cap with lavender flowers quilted in it kept headaches at bay. Used extensively in baths, as a personal scent and as a moth repellent.

Marjoram (Origanum maiorana), a tender perennial used in cooking, in spiced wine (hypocras), in brewing beer, and in medicines to 'comfort' the stomach.

Mint (Mentha species), of all kinds were used in food and medicine. Mint vinegar was used as a mouthwash; mint sauce restored the appetite. Used for all stomach ailments and in treating venom and wounds.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), a weedy perennial. A charm for travelers and used in foot ointments; also used in treating women's ailments.

Mustard (Brassica nigra, and Sinapis alba), a huge annual with tiny yellow or black seeds. Used to make sauces.

Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), a tree gum. Used as an antiseptic on wounds.

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), the nuts of an Asian tree. Ground and eaten to improve digestion; set in silver and carried as scented jewelry. Common in medieval cookery

Pepper (Piper nigrum), small hard fruits of an Asian plant. Used extensively as a seasoning.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): a shrubby tender perennial with pine-scented leaves, symbolic of wisdom and faithfulness. The flowers, boiled in tea, were an all-purpose medicine; the leaves boiled in white wine made a face wash. Putting the leaves under your pillow guarded against nightmares. The ashes of the wood, burnt, were used for cleaning teeth. Brides and grooms exchanged rosemary wreaths instead of rings; rosemary was also planted or strewn on graves. Rosemary was burned as an incense to kill or prevent infection, including the plague. Rosemary is said to have blue flowers because the Virgin dried her cloak on it on the way to Egypt.

Rue (Ruta graveolens), a sour-smelling perennial with rounded leaves, also called 'the herb of grace' because it was used as a holy water sprinkler. Used to treat venomous bites, and poor eyesight.

Saffron (Crocus sativus), the inner parts of a kind of crocus flower. Used in cooking, especially soups and grains, and to dye yellow; also used to treat infections.

Sage (Salvia officinalis), a green woody perennial, symbolic of age and wisdom. The leaves were used in salads and green sauces and as a spring tonic. "A man shall live for aye who eats sage in May." 'Cleans out' the system.

Thyme (Thymus species), a low, creeping perennial with tiny leaves, symbolic of courage. Used in cooking, and in baths and as an astringent. Burned as to fumigate against infection and to scent sacrifices.

Yarrow, or Achillea (Achillea millefolium) , a fringey perennial with many-parted flowers. Used to treat headaches and wounds, especially battle wounds, and the bite of mad dogs.