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Medieval Medical Professionals (Physicians and Surgeons (Studied at…
Medieval Medical Professionals
Physicians and Surgeons
Studied at university to become a doctor.
Training would take up to 10 years.
Medieval surgeons were seen as inferior to physicians and had a similar reputation to barber surgeons.
Performed larger and more complex operations and had some sort of formal education,
Only the very wealthy could afford the services of a proper physician.
A skilful surgeon with a good education would be very expensive so few would be able to afford them.
They treated people based on the ancient teachings of Aristotle and Hippocrates, e.g. Four Humours Theory.
Diagnosed patients by close examination of their blood, urine and stools.
Treated all types of illnesses and diseases.
Did more complex operations.
Apothecary
Trained through apprenticeships, and from the 1500s, some universities started to offer courses.
Most people would visit if they got ill. They prepared and sold medicines to physicians and patients.
They offered medical advice & other products, such as sweets, cosmetics, perfumes and drugs.
Believed if someone was ill, it was due to an imbalance of the Humours.
Many of their cures involved balancing the 'humours overflowing.
Developed huge ranges of natural healing herbs.
Barber Surgeons
Normally learn their trade as an apprentice to a more experienced colleague.
Many would have no former training and would be illiterate.
Most people would visit barber surgeons for regular blood letting and minor procedures.
They performed blood letting, teeth extraction, enemas, surgery and hair cutting.
Believed in the 4 Humours, therefore blood letting was popular.
No knowledge of anatomy and they had no anaesthetics. They used herbs such as opium to make patients sleepy.
Wise Women
Their knowledge was usually passed down to them through generations of traditional folk medicine.
The local wise woman was usually the first person contacted by poor people who used various herbs to produce various home made medicines and potions.
Often scoffed at by professional doctors who were anxious to protect their professional status.
Many people could not afford the services of other medical professionals so wise women were very popular healers.
Wise women dealt with all kinds of illnesses and medical conditions, such as childbirth and in some cases abortion.
Based on folk medicine book (all human life was linked to the rest of creation). Used many herbal remedies.