THE MIDDLE AGES
THE LIFE OF A LORD
THE MYTHS OF DISEASES
THE HUMOURS
One of the theories put forward in an attempt to find the causeof diseases was 'humours'. It was believed, by the people of the Middle Ages, that the human body had four humours, or fluids in our bodies (mucus, blood, black bile and yellow bile). If one of these fluids became unbalanced, you would get sick. The doctors of the Middle Ages would study a patient's urin to see if there was any unbalance in the patient's humours.
Astronomers blamed illness on the planets going out of line. the planets going out of line. Physicians blamed it on the bad smell on the streets. Those who blamed bad luck would use prayers to 'cure' the disease.
When by some luck, the patient recovered, this was supposedly a sign that the 'cure' worked. This also meant that it would work again if used again. However, if the 'cure' didn't work on the next patient, it was the fault of the patient rather than of the cure.
OTHER THEORIES
THE CAUSE OF DISEASES
Everyone was coming up with theories on how to cure a disease but they were all missing an extremely important factor - how does the disease spread?
The fact that the people of the Middle Ages lived so close to each other and in such a poor hygienic state meant that contagious disease could spread through the town like wildfire.
THE MOST COMMON DISEASES
Dysentery:
An infecion that is caused by either bacteria or amoebas. It spreads through the contamination of food and water by infected faeces.
Ergotism:
Poisoning from a fungal infection of grains (especially rye).
Influenza:
An extremely contagious viral infection of the respiratory system. Spread by inhaltion.
Leprosy:
A bacterial infection, spread by respiration or contact. This disease often leads to disfigurement.
Malaria:
A parasitic disease spread by mosquitoes.
The Measles:
A highly contagious viral disease that is transmitted through respiration.
The Plague:
A bacterial infection that is spread by flea bites or resipiration. This disease continuously mutates and takes several different forms.
Puerperal Fever:
An infection that grows on the female reproductive organs after childbirth.
Smallpox:
A severe and highly contagious viral disease that is transmitted through respiration.
Typhoid Fever:
A bacterial infection spread by infected faeces.