Medieval Physicians (AQA GCSE History)

How important were physicians in Medieval times? - Summary

Physicians' treatments were often based on incorrect ideas. Physicians studied for many years at universities, learning about the works of ancient doctors like Galen and Hippocrates. However, their knowledge was heavily influenced by the Church, which only allowed them to follow traditional ideas, such as the Theory of the Four Humours. This meant they could not question old theories, even if they were wrong. They also did not understand how the body or diseases worked. Physicians also used astrology to diagnose illnesses, which further limited the effectiveness of their treatments.

Physicians were too expensive for most people. Most people in Medieval England relied on cheaper alternatives like apothecaries or local wise women. Even when people could see a physician, the treatments often didn’t work. This meant that while physicians were important for the wealthy, their overall impact on health in Medieval times was limited. Many people still turned to other methods, such as herbal remedies or prayers, for help.

What was a physician?

• In medieval times, doctors were called ‘physicians’

  • The term ‘doctor’ replaced ‘physician’ from the 17th century onwards

• Physicians were the most well-trained and respected medic in Medieval times

Training of a Medieval physician

• Physicians attended university for between seven to ten years

  • The Church approved every medical text a physician used for their education

  • When qualified, most English physicians were also clergymen

    • This meant they did not treat their patients as clergy were not allowed to deal with things like blood

  • European physicians educated in non-religious universities like the University of Naples Federico II were able to diagnose and treat their patients

• Women were not allowed to be physicians or attend university at this time

Role of a Medieval physician

• Physicians would diagnose patients' illness by:

  • using the Theory of the Four Humours to recommend treatments

  • taking urine and blood samples

  • using star charts

• Physicians had little practical experience in diagnosis or surgery

  • When dissections and operations took place, the physician would be far away from the body

  • The physician would read Galen’s medical texts whilst someone else conducted the surgery

• Examining a patient was not considered a necessary role of a physician

  • Patients could pay more money for an examination

• A physician would recommend a herbal remedy, made by an apothecary

Did everyone have access to physicians in Medieval England?

• Physicians were expensive to use. This was because:

  • physicians were the most trained Medieval medic

  • there were very few physicians in Medieval England

• Physicians were only accessible to royalty and the wealthy

• Many physicians lived in towns

  • People who lived in villages would rarely see a physician

Who treated people in Medieval times?

• The most common and accessible Medieval medics were:

  • apothecaries

  • wise women

Apothecaries

• Apothecaries mixed herbal remedies from recipes passed down through generations

  • Manuals like Materia Medica also helped to treat a patient’s illness

• Apothecaries were not considered as skilled as physicians

• Many medieval people used apothecaries because they were cheaper than physicians

• Apothecaries were controversial in Medieval times

  • They prescribed poison to some patients which went against the Hippocratic Oath that physicians took 

• They experimented with alchemy and the supernatural 

  • The Church did not approve of this as it was seen as magic

Wise women

• In the villages and households, women were the main source of care for the sick. The women:

  • created herbal remedies based on flowers and herbs that they would grow in the garden

  • may have carried out minor surgeries, although there are very few records of this

  • acted as midwives in labour

• Some women were well-respected in their communities for their ability to care and heal