History of Science 2220 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Phlegm, Black Rat, Giovanni Boccaccio

• School: Western University
• Department: History of Science
• Course: History of Science 2220
• Professor: Prof

Document Summary

Medieval medicine: dichotomy takes place exists between ideals of hippocratic medicine and doctrines of christianity, christians medicine to suit their spiritual beliefs. Medicine in the medieval world: transition changes way medicine is thought about and practiced, medicine = secular learning, as secular learning, considered inferior to theology (study of god) among. Christians: within christian act of seeking health became problematic healing was good, considered act of love but being healed except by god and his servants was not necessarily good (who was doing the healing caused problems) Religious = heavenly things relied on prayer, holy relics, exorcism. Human = earthly things relied on empirical methods of treatment ex: dietary management, drug, bleeding, surgical. Beliefs taught them that it was only christ who could really cure someone church acted for christ that could heal somebody without the use of earthly medicine.