Disease
Overview:
Scroll to view medieval artifacts regarding Disease. As you will see, disease was not only sickness, some of which can still be experienced today, but also plagues that created havoc in the medieval world. Disease illuminates the daily life in the middle ages and how social change was interlaced with important events, such as plagues and disease.
Scroll to view medieval artifacts regarding Disease. As you will see, disease was not only sickness, some of which can still be experienced today, but also plagues that created havoc in the medieval world. Disease illuminates the daily life in the middle ages and how social change was interlaced with important events, such as plagues and disease.
Augenoperation
Date: 1195 Size: 300 x 200 (215 x 150) in two columns (full manuscript) Language: Latin Origin: England, N.? or France, N.? Medium: Parchment Current location of artifact: The British Library Click here to learn more! |
Description: A close-up view of a manuscript of a patient having eye surgery (Top)
The full manuscript, with two other detailed drawings of various procedures (Right) |
“Augenoperation” is the term coined in the middle ages for any sort of eye procedure or eye surgery that is known today. In surgery, tools like scissors, razor blades, needles and lancets were used, often times shared and unclean from procedure to procedure. Tools were often simple and easy to craft by locals.
This manuscript in particular is most likely the removal of a cataract on the eye, which interestingly enough was one of the most common medical procedures in the Middle Ages. This is due to the high rates of bleeding out during complicated procedures because of their limited knowledge about the extensive blood loss and pain caused from a procedure. Cataracts were removed by poking a small knife or needle into the patient’s eye and into their cornea, causing the lens of the eye to be exposed and then removed. It is important to remember that the anesthesia and numbing medication was not yet invented at this time, so the patient depicted in the manuscript above is having the procedure done without any pain reliving aid!
If you look at the Illuminator, shown to the left, it is particularly interesting the three medical treatments that are grouped together. Of course, augenoperation is shown on the far right of the illuminator, but a depiction of hemorrhoids treatment is shown on the top and the removal of a nasal growth is shown on the bottom. These three procedures are definitely not glamorous, and most likely not the first things one might think of when “medieval medicine” is mentioned, but all were certain types of “extractions,” which makes this illuminator that much more interesting!
This artifact in particular shows the viewer how surgery was used to aid in medical treatment, much like it does today. In addition to clearly depicting surgery, it also shows the evolution of how health was viewed in the Middle Ages, especially how strikingly similar it is to the modern day. Still today, many people see an eye-doctor for professional help, to treat medical issues such as cataracts, glaucoma, or even simply poor vision. Both today and back when this manuscript was created, these problems were treated and surgically taken care of. For example, a cataract is general cloudiness in the eye that stems from problems with the lens, which as described above was even known back in the Middle Ages! Of course, trial-and-error with experimentation helped physicians discover this, but it is surely impressive that in as early as the twelfth century, this practice was known! This perfectly exemplifies medieval physicians wide understanding of health; it was not solely based on outward appearance. Rather, it was more so based on inner functions, such as vision. With their understanding of health “from the inside,” medieval medicine blossomed into new ideas about the body, how health was viewed and understood, both by professionals and lay people, and new tools and technology to aid in the search for knowledge of the body.
http://www.bl.uk/catalogues/illuminatedmanuscripts/ILLUMIN.ASP?Size=mid&IllID=3113
This manuscript in particular is most likely the removal of a cataract on the eye, which interestingly enough was one of the most common medical procedures in the Middle Ages. This is due to the high rates of bleeding out during complicated procedures because of their limited knowledge about the extensive blood loss and pain caused from a procedure. Cataracts were removed by poking a small knife or needle into the patient’s eye and into their cornea, causing the lens of the eye to be exposed and then removed. It is important to remember that the anesthesia and numbing medication was not yet invented at this time, so the patient depicted in the manuscript above is having the procedure done without any pain reliving aid!
If you look at the Illuminator, shown to the left, it is particularly interesting the three medical treatments that are grouped together. Of course, augenoperation is shown on the far right of the illuminator, but a depiction of hemorrhoids treatment is shown on the top and the removal of a nasal growth is shown on the bottom. These three procedures are definitely not glamorous, and most likely not the first things one might think of when “medieval medicine” is mentioned, but all were certain types of “extractions,” which makes this illuminator that much more interesting!
This artifact in particular shows the viewer how surgery was used to aid in medical treatment, much like it does today. In addition to clearly depicting surgery, it also shows the evolution of how health was viewed in the Middle Ages, especially how strikingly similar it is to the modern day. Still today, many people see an eye-doctor for professional help, to treat medical issues such as cataracts, glaucoma, or even simply poor vision. Both today and back when this manuscript was created, these problems were treated and surgically taken care of. For example, a cataract is general cloudiness in the eye that stems from problems with the lens, which as described above was even known back in the Middle Ages! Of course, trial-and-error with experimentation helped physicians discover this, but it is surely impressive that in as early as the twelfth century, this practice was known! This perfectly exemplifies medieval physicians wide understanding of health; it was not solely based on outward appearance. Rather, it was more so based on inner functions, such as vision. With their understanding of health “from the inside,” medieval medicine blossomed into new ideas about the body, how health was viewed and understood, both by professionals and lay people, and new tools and technology to aid in the search for knowledge of the body.
http://www.bl.uk/catalogues/illuminatedmanuscripts/ILLUMIN.ASP?Size=mid&IllID=3113
Description: Detail of a Add to dictionary initial 'C'(lericus): Clerics with leprosy receiving instruction from a bishop."
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"Omne Bonum (Absolucio-Circumcisio)"
Date: c. 1360-c. 1375 Size: 455 x 310 (345 x 190), in two columns Language: Latin Origin: England, S. E. (London) Medium: Parchment Current location of artifact: The British Library Royal 6 E VI f. 301 Click here to learn more! |
About:
The Black Plague arrived in Europe in 1348, which chronologically does not coincide with the manuscript above, being between ten and twenty years after the major rise of the Plague, albeit there were continued outbreaks into the fifteenth century. From a medical perspective, researchers, admittedly so, have confused the lesions on the faces of the victims to be resulting from the plague. However, aside from the similar disease markings, the manuscript presents many issues that negate any possibility of connecting to the plague. First, through the text surrounding the picture, the once perceived “priest” is actually a bishop. Second, the hand gesture, that would look like a blessing to the average observer, is in fact a signal of direction, meaning that the bishop was directing he victims to take action. Based on the shaven head of the victims, it is indicated that they are of clerical nature, which explains why the bishop would be directing them. After examining and reading the text, it can roughly be translated to the discussion on whether or not ill members of the church should still receive the same benefits as those who are healthy and well, which further confirms the true meaning behind this artifact. With this being said and knowing the context of the manuscript, it is to be noted their upright position, which would not be the case if they did have the plague and no other strong indicators of the Black Plague. These victims would be diagnosed with leprosy, which is a transmissible illness that attacks the skin.
An average twenty-first century viewer would look at the above manuscript and see four victims of disease being what appears to be blessed by a member of the church. This manuscript appears to be rather colorful, with detail being placed on the figure’s faces and clothing and tells a narrative of four ill members of a community. This manuscript is in good condition, as shown above, and is still legible today.
The audience for this manuscript would be educators and those who were being educated, since Omne Bonum is an encyclopedia of all the knowledge at this time. Through the call-to-action in this manuscript by the bishop, the church’s hierarchy is demonstrated, since even physicians and their practices were directly controlled by the church. For example, medieval doctors were encouraged to study the stars and never demonstrate any superstitious practices that might cause illness such as leprosy. This helps viewers have a deeper understanding about medieval medicine because it interlinks medicine to other areas, since this is both a pastoral text and medical text. Medicine was intertwined with all other aspects of life, like this text showing the issues that are still prevalent today revolving around medicine, such as disability.
This artifact is significant because it is commonly used to depict the Black Plague, a devastating disease that took over Europe. The image is supposedly a Priest giving a blessing to monks who have been infected with the disease, but it is now known that this is not the case. This image represents that medical issues affected everyone; not only the poor peasants that were exposed to more filthy conditions, but the prestigious clerical members also. Disease was across all classes, races, and ethnicities of the time and leprosy especially could affect anyone. The manuscript was tied with the Plague most likely because it was the most documented and notorious disease of the time, but also because it was unfortunately a “link” between all socioeconomic classes of the time, much like any other disease. To add to this, no known image directly depicts the Black Death, which is troubling considering it was such a catastrophic disease, so the use of an image that could be used to tell roughly the same story was elicited. This artifact is a reminder to always look closely at all text and photographs, pay special attention to context, and supplement with additional research to uncover the true meaning; it is our job as historians to discover and spread truth!
http://www.medievalists.net/2015/10/diagnosis-of-a-plague-image-a-digital-cautionary-tale/
https://www.bl.uk/catalogues/illuminatedmanuscripts/ILLUMIN.ASP?Size=mid&IllID=40313
The Black Plague arrived in Europe in 1348, which chronologically does not coincide with the manuscript above, being between ten and twenty years after the major rise of the Plague, albeit there were continued outbreaks into the fifteenth century. From a medical perspective, researchers, admittedly so, have confused the lesions on the faces of the victims to be resulting from the plague. However, aside from the similar disease markings, the manuscript presents many issues that negate any possibility of connecting to the plague. First, through the text surrounding the picture, the once perceived “priest” is actually a bishop. Second, the hand gesture, that would look like a blessing to the average observer, is in fact a signal of direction, meaning that the bishop was directing he victims to take action. Based on the shaven head of the victims, it is indicated that they are of clerical nature, which explains why the bishop would be directing them. After examining and reading the text, it can roughly be translated to the discussion on whether or not ill members of the church should still receive the same benefits as those who are healthy and well, which further confirms the true meaning behind this artifact. With this being said and knowing the context of the manuscript, it is to be noted their upright position, which would not be the case if they did have the plague and no other strong indicators of the Black Plague. These victims would be diagnosed with leprosy, which is a transmissible illness that attacks the skin.
An average twenty-first century viewer would look at the above manuscript and see four victims of disease being what appears to be blessed by a member of the church. This manuscript appears to be rather colorful, with detail being placed on the figure’s faces and clothing and tells a narrative of four ill members of a community. This manuscript is in good condition, as shown above, and is still legible today.
The audience for this manuscript would be educators and those who were being educated, since Omne Bonum is an encyclopedia of all the knowledge at this time. Through the call-to-action in this manuscript by the bishop, the church’s hierarchy is demonstrated, since even physicians and their practices were directly controlled by the church. For example, medieval doctors were encouraged to study the stars and never demonstrate any superstitious practices that might cause illness such as leprosy. This helps viewers have a deeper understanding about medieval medicine because it interlinks medicine to other areas, since this is both a pastoral text and medical text. Medicine was intertwined with all other aspects of life, like this text showing the issues that are still prevalent today revolving around medicine, such as disability.
This artifact is significant because it is commonly used to depict the Black Plague, a devastating disease that took over Europe. The image is supposedly a Priest giving a blessing to monks who have been infected with the disease, but it is now known that this is not the case. This image represents that medical issues affected everyone; not only the poor peasants that were exposed to more filthy conditions, but the prestigious clerical members also. Disease was across all classes, races, and ethnicities of the time and leprosy especially could affect anyone. The manuscript was tied with the Plague most likely because it was the most documented and notorious disease of the time, but also because it was unfortunately a “link” between all socioeconomic classes of the time, much like any other disease. To add to this, no known image directly depicts the Black Death, which is troubling considering it was such a catastrophic disease, so the use of an image that could be used to tell roughly the same story was elicited. This artifact is a reminder to always look closely at all text and photographs, pay special attention to context, and supplement with additional research to uncover the true meaning; it is our job as historians to discover and spread truth!
http://www.medievalists.net/2015/10/diagnosis-of-a-plague-image-a-digital-cautionary-tale/
https://www.bl.uk/catalogues/illuminatedmanuscripts/ILLUMIN.ASP?Size=mid&IllID=40313
"About the English Sweating Sickness"
Date: 1529
Language: German Origin: Marburg Medium: Parchment Current location of artifact: The Herzog August Library Click here to learn more! |
Description: (Above)A book about the a disease known as the "English Sweating Sickness."
(Below) A manuscript depicting the English Sweating Sickness |
The English Sweating Sickness was a highly contagious disease that first struck in England and later moved to other parts of continental Europe. The disease entailed violently cold shivers followed by body aches, general exhaustion, and, most notably, dehydration. The onset of symptoms would be very sudden, and death was common within hours after symptoms began. The top image is of a printed book regarding the English Sweating sickness. It reads: ''Eyn Regiment, wie ma sich vor der Newen Plage/ Der Englisch schweiß genant/ bewaren/ Un so man damit ergriffen wirt/ darin halten sol,” which can be translated to “The Regiment, how to face the Newen Plague / The English Sweating Sickness / Beware / so you are not taken by the host / in it, Sol. This title points to the English Sweating Sickness, but also serves as a warning, which tells the viewer that this sickness, or plague, to beware. This book was written and produced in Germany, but was about the ENGLISH sweating sickness, which is a perfect representation of the transnational nature of medicine. Around the time that this book was made, there was strong trade between England and the Hanseatic League. Most likely, the medical book was originally written in English, but was then translated to German for its use at university by educators. They would have been trained to deal with this illness by studying its symptoms and how to accurately treat it. The bottom image also depicts the Sweating Sickness but is rather an illuminated manuscript, showing an ill man infected with the sickness. As you can see, the patient is being taken care of by physicians, who are holding some sort a cup or vase. This is most likely filled with water and would be administered to the patient, since ample hydration would increase survival odds. As much as medical information was spread about new ideas and new diseases, the illness’s themselves were spreading just as rapidly. With the trade and relationships that occurred, disease was spread rapidly and caused major outbreaks that are known today.
Both of these artifacts are in excellent condition and interestingly enough are both written in the vernacular, or the common spoken language. Originally, all medical texts were solely in Greek, but were later translated into Latin. After this was done, medical texts were translated into nearly every language at the time. These artifact does a really nice job showing the interconnections and relations of different empires at the time. The purpose of this would be to warn the physicians and educators about the symptoms and problems of this disease and to serve as a warning that it was coming with due time. These two artifacts about the English Sweating Sickness show illness and disease that spread in the middle ages and how doctors dealt with sickness. Often times, the Black Plague is the one well known disease to emerge from this time period, but other diseases devastated medieval society.
http://www.earlymodernengland.com/2014/06/the-english-sweating-sickness/royal-20-c-vii-f-78v/
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Euricius_cordus_-_englisch_schweiss.jpg
Both of these artifacts are in excellent condition and interestingly enough are both written in the vernacular, or the common spoken language. Originally, all medical texts were solely in Greek, but were later translated into Latin. After this was done, medical texts were translated into nearly every language at the time. These artifact does a really nice job showing the interconnections and relations of different empires at the time. The purpose of this would be to warn the physicians and educators about the symptoms and problems of this disease and to serve as a warning that it was coming with due time. These two artifacts about the English Sweating Sickness show illness and disease that spread in the middle ages and how doctors dealt with sickness. Often times, the Black Plague is the one well known disease to emerge from this time period, but other diseases devastated medieval society.
http://www.earlymodernengland.com/2014/06/the-english-sweating-sickness/royal-20-c-vii-f-78v/
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Euricius_cordus_-_englisch_schweiss.jpg