Be a Medieval Doctor
In the 14th century, on third of the population of Europe, 25 million people, died due to the Black Plague. In Asia, up to 60 million people perished. The Plague wasn’t a super disease, in fact, it still exists today. Living conditions and beliefs of the people produced the perfect circumstances to have a disastrous impact.
- Watch the video Good and bad medicine in Medieval Europe.
http://education.abc.net.au/home#!/media/1608474/good-and-bad-medicine-in-medieval-europe
2. Look at the Handout “Be a medieval doctor“. Match the complaints of patients a doctor might have heard in the 1340’s with the treatments. What do these treatments tell us about medieval medicine?
3. Watch the video “Who Were The Plague Doctors And Why Did They Wear Masks?
Religion by the Numbers
4. What percentage of people in the medieval period were religious?
Look at the Handout “Religion by the numbers“.
Often the people who decided on treatments and were the doctors were from the Church. What do you think might have been the impact of the population in recieving their medical advice from the Church? Complete the activity at the bottom of the handout.
Medieval Belief and the Church
“Those that follow the Church’s rules when alive were awarded after death, those who didn’t were punished in hell.”
5. Watch the following video on medieval beliefs and the Church