Medieval Science and Medicine

By the ninth century western Europe began to acknowledge the scientific advancements of Asians and Muslims Any scientific advancements made in Europe had to be approved by the church, and as a result few were made Alchemy-was the favorite science in the Late Middle Ages

The purpose of alchemy was to turn lead into gold and to find a formula that would make humans immortal Alchemists had no success with either venture, but lead the way to modern day chemistry and pharmacology

Medicine Few people had access to doctors Most people relied on the traditional remedies, superstition, and their Christian beliefs Many believed that evil spirits were responsible for their sicknesses, and would make pilgrimages to holy shrines to pray for their health

Natural Remedies Few of these had any effect on the ill person The treatment for a headache was to take a peony root and mix it with rose oil and apply it to the forehead.

The recipe for good health To have good health you had to have a balance among your four body fluids humours: Blood Phlegm (mucus) Black bile (gall) Yellow bile (choler) If there was an imbalance between these fluids then sickness would occur Treatment was to restore a balance to the body