If you got sick during the Middle Ages, your chances of survival would not be too good. First of all, people had no idea about germs or viruses. They believed that illness was caused by bad odors, bad blood or God's anger.
The most common treatment for sickness was bloodletting. Since many believed that bad blood caused disease, the removal of the blood became an important treatment. Often leeches would be used. Sometimes, the bottom of the foot would be cut because it was believed that the bad blood collected near the bottom of your body. The unfortunate result of bloodletting was that it had the effect of lowering a person's immune system even more, causing the sickness to get worse.
Even so, the practice of bloodletting continued well into the 19th century.
In 1347, a sickness began spreading across Europe. This sickness was deadly and produced some frightening symptoms in people: open sores, large and painful swellings on the body, fingers and toes that would turn black and fall off. This was the Black Death.
Today, we know what caused the plague: a bacteria called Yersinia Pestis that lives in stomachs of fleas.
However, people in the Middle Ages had no idea about the cause of this disease. Most thought the world was coming to an end and that God was punishing humanity again. And this seemed to many to be the most logical explanation. After all, priests were getting sick, as was the wealthy and powerful. This plague didn't just strike the poor as it often did in other outbreaks: it affected everybody.
The most common treatment for sickness was bloodletting. Since many believed that bad blood caused disease, the removal of the blood became an important treatment. Often leeches would be used. Sometimes, the bottom of the foot would be cut because it was believed that the bad blood collected near the bottom of your body. The unfortunate result of bloodletting was that it had the effect of lowering a person's immune system even more, causing the sickness to get worse.
Even so, the practice of bloodletting continued well into the 19th century.
In 1347, a sickness began spreading across Europe. This sickness was deadly and produced some frightening symptoms in people: open sores, large and painful swellings on the body, fingers and toes that would turn black and fall off. This was the Black Death.
Today, we know what caused the plague: a bacteria called Yersinia Pestis that lives in stomachs of fleas.
However, people in the Middle Ages had no idea about the cause of this disease. Most thought the world was coming to an end and that God was punishing humanity again. And this seemed to many to be the most logical explanation. After all, priests were getting sick, as was the wealthy and powerful. This plague didn't just strike the poor as it often did in other outbreaks: it affected everybody.
Popular Cures for the Black Death
1. Since many believed that the plague was caused by bad odors, many people resorted to carrying a "pocket full of posies." In this bag, that would often be worn around the neck, was a collection of herbs and flowers. The popular fragrant herbs used were parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
2. Some people turned to magic. A popular spell was recited by people and worn on clothing: "Abracadabra."
3. Potions and charms were created to ward off the disease. Here is a popular recipe for the curing the plague:
4. Drink melted gold
5. Bathe in urine.
6. Other concoctions included such ingredients as menstrual fluid, blood of puppies and pigeons, and egg shells.
5. Bathe in urine.
6. Other concoctions included such ingredients as menstrual fluid, blood of puppies and pigeons, and egg shells.
Effects of the Black Death
The biggest effect of the disease was that it took the lives of between 25% and 50% of Europe's population. Towns and villages became abandoned. The depopulation helped bring about the end of feudalism as there was a shortage of workers. Peasants could make more demands of landlords and some serfs simply left their land to find better opportunities.
Socially, the Black Death prompted changes in medicine. Many people began looking for the cause of the plague. Eventually, medicine would become more of a science than a practice. Unfortunately, another social effect of the plague was the fear that took hold during the times when the plague struck. Scapegoats would often be identified and blamed. In Europe at this time, thousands of Jews were singled out and massacred. In February, 1349, some 2,000 Jewish residents in the town of Strasbourg were burned at the stake.
Socially, the Black Death prompted changes in medicine. Many people began looking for the cause of the plague. Eventually, medicine would become more of a science than a practice. Unfortunately, another social effect of the plague was the fear that took hold during the times when the plague struck. Scapegoats would often be identified and blamed. In Europe at this time, thousands of Jews were singled out and massacred. In February, 1349, some 2,000 Jewish residents in the town of Strasbourg were burned at the stake.