Excruciating, painful, even up to a point that you would think it is sheer torture. That’s how it was to be on the operating table during the Middle Ages. Back in the days when painkillers and anesthetics were non-existent, how do “doctors” remove an appendix or remove an aching tooth? And what is it that exactly occurred during this period in human history? Basically, the Middle Ages in European history lasted for about one thousand years, starting from the fall of the Western Roman Empire during the 5th century—up to the start of the Early Modern Period in the 16th century. Those were the days when menstruation in women was a grave concern, conception and birth could cost new mothers their lives, and what is today a simple medical procedure became a matter of life and death situations.
So what exactly occurred in the field of medicine during the Middle Ages? Let’s take the 1600s as an example. During these times, medical treatments, illnesses, unusual conditions, and anything that has to do with human health was addressed using a combination of several factors. First, there were procedures like bloodletting and cauterization. Second, there was the use of holy relics, prayers, magic, religious rituals, and offerings. The third factor involved in the treatment were the use of items like herbs, spices, stones, enemas, bandages, ointments, and a multitude of other things that, when used in today’s modern medicine, would be considered just plain weird, unusual, and ineffective.
So what are the top five gravest medical concerns back in the Middle Ages? Take a look at the following list:
1. Raising of Children Up to the Age of Five
Did you know that back in the Middle Ages, mothers had a difficult time raising healthy kids because some of them could not even reach the age of five? What made young children particularly vulnerable during those times were infections, injuries and birth defects which may not have even been named during those times.
Since there were no pediatrics back in the Middle Ages, it become a grave medical concern to raise children up to the age of five, simply because there were no means of taking better care of such young kids.
2. Treatment of Many Illnesses through Bloodletting
Also called phlebotomy, bloodletting is probably one of the most painful cures for headaches that you can possibly think of. At least, it was during the Middle Ages. The principle behind this medical treatment was that if the human body is relieved of “juices” and humor or the excess fluid in the body, any illness can be healed. Obviously, there were no needles back then, so leeches and venesection were used to let the blood out. Venesection is a procedure wherein a narrow blade is used to penetrate a vein, leaving a small wound and letting the blood run through a bowl. Aside from curing the common pains, monks in monasteries used this medical procedure regularly to maintain good health.
Fortunately, we are not in the Middle Ages anymore and the medical industry has vastly improved. Instead of undergoing these excruciatingly painful procedures, you can rest assured that the doctors will lull you into a good, long sleep during the operation in case you need to undergo surgery.
3. Headaches, Cramps, and Other Unusual Pains
It’s really quite amazing the lengths that man has gone through in order to make a particular pain or ailment go away. During the Middle Ages, running electric current through your body is used to heal a number of ailments—from the common headaches, stomachaches and menstrual cramps—to the more complicated cases of mental disorders. Electric eels and fish were usually used to apply shock and treat headaches and seizures.
