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Medieval Medical Practices
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Herbal Medicine
Utilization of plant materials for healing purposes. Common treatments included using herbs like sage, wormwood, and comfrey, often as teas, poultices, or infusions.
Bloodletting
A medical practice where blood was drawn with the belief that it would balance the humors and cure or prevent illness. Common Treatments included venesection and the application of leeches.
Trepanation
A surgical intervention where a hole is drilled into the skull to treat health problems, particularly those of a neurological nature. Common treatments post-procedure involved rest and herbal remedies to mitigate infection.
Humoral Theory
The dominant medical theory of the medieval era, stating that the balance of four body fluids (blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile) determined health. Treatments were aimed at restoring balance, often through diet and purgation.
Amputation
The surgical removal of a limb or extremity due to injury or disease, with minimal anesthetic options. Treatments after amputation included cauterization to stop bleeding and herbal remedies to prevent infection.
Urine Examination
Urine was analyzed for its color, consistency, and scent as part of the diagnostic process. Treatments based on the examination could range from dietary recommendations to more invasive procedures.
Cupping Therapy
A procedure that involves placing cups on the skin to create suction, believed to mobilize blood flow and heal a wide range of ailments. Common treatments involved glass or horn cups heated with fire to create the vacuum.
Quarantine
The practice of isolating individuals or communities to prevent the spread of disease, particularly during outbreaks like the bubonic plague. Common treatments involved confinement and, at times, the use of herbal incense to purify the air.
Dietary Regulation
The modification of one's diet to treat or prevent illness, rooted in the belief of the humoral theory. Common treatments included adjusting the consumption of certain types of food based on their perceived qualities (e.g., hot, cold, moist, dry).
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