Treatment of Illness in the Community

In medieval England, the majority of people could not afford to consult a physician when they fell ill. As a result, they relied on a range of alternative treatments and healers from within their communities to manage their health. These treatments were influenced by traditional beliefs in medicine, which often combined natural remedies with religious or superstitious practices.

Traditional Beliefs and Treatments

A common belief in medieval England was that illness was caused by an imbalance in the four humours of the body. These four humours – blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile – were thought to govern a person’s health and temperaments. When one of the humours became out of balance, it was believed to cause illness.

Bloodletting

If the humours were thought to be unbalanced, the most common treatment was bloodletting, intended to restore the equilibrium. This could be performed in a variety of ways:

• Cutting into a vein to allow blood to flow out.
• Using leeches, which were applied to the skin to draw out blood.
• Heated cups, placed over a cut or scratch to help draw out the “excess” blood.

Purging the Body

It was also believed that food could contribute to the imbalance of humours. To remedy this, people were given vomits or laxatives to clear their stomachs and bowels of leftover food. These treatments aimed to restore the body's natural balance and improve health.

Hot and Cold Treatments

Based on the idea of balancing the qualities of the humours (hot, cold, wet, dry), treatments were given that corresponded to the perceived imbalance. For example:

• If a person was thought to have too much phlegm (cold and wet), they would be treated with something hot and dry, such as eating hot peppers.
• Conversely, if a person had too much yellow bile (hot and dry), they might be given something cold, like drinking cold water or other cooling remedies.

These treatments were based on the belief that matching the right qualities (hot, cold, wet, dry) would help restore balance and cure illness.

Barber Surgeons

Barber surgeons were one of the most common figures offering medical treatment in medieval communities. In addition to cutting hair and shaving beards, they performed basic surgical procedures, including:

• Bloodletting to restore balance in the body’s humours.
• Stitching up wounds and providing rudimentary care for injuries.
• Removing external growths or other visible medical problems.

Barber surgeons generally learned their skills through practical experience, observing more experienced practitioners and studying medical texts. While they were not formally trained physicians, they were a vital resource for many, particularly in smaller towns and villages where medical professionals were scarce.

Family Traditions and Treatments

In most medieval households, women played a central role in treating illnesses. Treatment knowledge was often passed down through generations, and mothers and wives were typically the first to care for the sick within the family. This knowledge of healing was often informal, based on family traditions and passed on through practical experience rather than formal study.

Some women were considered especially knowledgeable in medicinal remedies and were known as "wise women." These women often held local reputations for their skill in treating a variety of ailments using natural remedies. The wisdom of these women was highly valued in the community, as they often provided effective care when more formal treatments were unavailable.

Herbal Treatments

Herbal remedies were the cornerstone of medieval medicine. Many of the herbs, plants, and minerals used in treatments today have ancient roots in medieval practices. These remedies were often prescribed for a wide range of conditions, from infections to digestive problems. In addition to the medicinal qualities of plants, it was also common for books and written texts to include specific prayers that were to be said alongside the treatment, reflecting the strong influence of religion on health.

• Honey: Used to treat infections, honey had natural antiseptic properties and is still used in modern medicine for its healing qualities.
• Linseed: Often used as a laxative to treat constipation, linseed continues to be a popular remedy for digestive issues today.

These natural remedies were usually prepared by those with knowledge of herbs and their properties, and their use remained widespread in the community.

Apothecaries

For those who could afford them, apothecaries offered a more professional form of treatment. Similar to modern-day chemists or pharmacists, apothecaries were responsible for mixing and selling medicines, which included herbal remedies, potions, and ointments. While they were not fully trained doctors, they were trained in the art of mixing treatments and medicines. Some apothecaries worked with physicians, while others made their own remedies for sale.

Apothecaries learned their craft from other experienced apothecaries and through books or apprenticeships. They gained their knowledge of plants, herbs, and their medicinal properties, as well as the proper methods for preparing and administering treatments.

Apothecaries were an important part of the healthcare system, particularly in towns and cities, and they often worked alongside physicians and surgeons. However, like wise women, their services were generally accessible only to those who could afford them.

Conclusion

In medieval England, the majority of people relied on local healers, family knowledge, and traditional practices for medical treatment. The understanding of disease and treatment was rooted in the belief in the four humours, and the community used a combination of herbal remedies, bloodletting, and other practices to manage illnesses. While physicians and formal medical care were limited and expensive, communities found ways to care for the sick using the resources available to them. Despite the rudimentary nature of these treatments, many still held value in the understanding and treatment of illnesses that persisted in the medieval world.