Prevention of Disease in Medieval England (Edexcel GCSE History)

Disease Prevention in Medieval Britain - Summary

There was very little people could do to prevent illness. The Church’s power blocked progress of scientific and logical methods of prevention. Monks were one of the few literate groups in Medieval times. They produced handwritten copies of books for distribution. This meant there was no way to publish books which went against the teachings of the Church. There was also no motivation within the general population for answers. Many were happy to follow the explanations provided by Hippocrates and Galen or to simply accept that their fate lay within God’s hands. 

Those that attempted to prevent illness used the same natural and supernatural ideas that justified the cause of disease and treatment.

Natural Prevention

Hygiene

• People believed it was important to look after your body

• A book called Regimen Sanitatis was published

  • Regimen Sanitatis was a loose set of instructions provided by a physician to help patients maintain a healthy life

  • Many health professionals prescribe some of the advice today including:

    • Exercise

    • Do not overeat

    • Sleep

    • Avoid stress

• However, the Regimen Sanitatis also advised to:

  • Breathe eastern or northern air

  • Avoid barking dogs

  • Stay on good terms with neighbours

Diet

• The Theory of the Four Humours linked to good health to digestion

• Physicians discouraged overeating

• Many Medieval kings died from conditions like dysentery, caused by overly rich diets

  • People believed dysentery indicated living an immoral lifestyle of over-indulgence. King John died of dysentery in 1216

  • The 13th century monk and historian Matthew Paris stated:

• Many people decided purging, through laxatives or vomiting, was a good way to prevent illness from happening

Purifying the Air

• To counteract miasma, people used:

  • Herbs such as lavender

  • Flowers such as posies

• A pomander (a locket worn around the waist) was worn with similar sweet smells for protection

• Local authorities disposed of rotten bodies by removing them from the streets

Supernatural Prevention

• People believed that the Church provided the most important method of Medieval prevention through:

  • Regular prayer

  • Confession

  • Leading a morally good life 

• By doing these actions, Medieval people attempted to avoid becoming ill