Prevention of Disease in Renaissance Britain (Edexcel GCSE History)

Continuity of Ideas about Disease Prevention in the Renaissance - Summary

Methods of preventing illness developed from the Medieval to the Renaissance period. The growing influence of science created new practices. People believed they could control their health by watching what they ate and protecting those with weaker constitutions. Pre-existing, logical theories became more accepted. Control of miasma as a method of prevention increased in popularity during the Renaissance. As did theories about the impact of weather conditions. 

Religion continued to dominate people’s opinions on staying healthy. The general population prayed and lived a morally good life to warn off illness. In times of epidemics, such as the Great Plague of 1665, the use of supernatural preventions only increased. 

Opinions on disease prevention changed little between the Medieval to the Renaissance periods. Without an understanding of germs, people did not know how to avoid catching diseases.

Superstitions

• People still believed that the supernatural influenced their health

• Many people used praying in an attempt to prevent illness 

• Other more rational ideas grew in influence:

  • Eating in moderation

  • Consideration of how strong you were when you were born (a person’s constitution

Regimen Sanitatis

• Many people continued the practices outlined in Regimen Sanitatis to keep themselves healthy

  • Cleanliness was fundamental in disease prevention

• However, bathing became less popular by the 16th century because:

  • Many stewes (public baths) were also brothels

  • Diseases such as syphilis spread quickly in this environment

• To maintain better health and cleanliness:

  • People changed their clothes more often

  • They moved away from an area with disease

Miasma & Weather Conditions

Miasma 

• Local governments targeted the removal of miasma

  • Minor criminals picked up rubbish from the streets as punishment

  • Fines were given to homeowners who did not clean up outside their house

  • Projects to drain swamps and bogs releasing bad fumes were set up

• Control of miasma was still considered incredibly important to help the population remain healthy

Weather conditions

• The idea that the weather conditions could spread disease became more popular in the Renaissance

• Barometers and thermometers monitored weather conditions over weeks and months  

  • Epidemics of disease spread easier in the summer months than in winter

  • This led to the weather conditions being identified as a cause