In order to understand the diseases and illnesses diagnosed by medical physicians, the Greeks “evolved an all embracing eminently coherent explanation of the workings of the human body” (Rawcliffe 22). This explanation originated from the concept that each individual functioned and acted the same as the universe itself. The Greeks stated that each individual shared the aspects and adapted, just as the universe did, to any changes that may occur whether it be “environmental or planetary influences” (Rawcliffe 22).
Although none of the early Christian believers disbelieved this concept, but because of their “pagan” belief, other Christians quickly challenged any practices that were concerned with a person’s free will (Rawcliffe 22). Beginning in the twelfth century, texts dealing with astronomy written by Greek, Arab, and Hebrew scholars, made it possible to relate this unreliable subject into the basic university curriculum (Rawcliffe 22). This development in the curriculum had many set backs for medical education and by the fifteenth century, the relationship between the universe and an individual were very common.
In order for medical physicians to correctly diagnose a patient, they often had to seek advice from a horoscope reading. For example, when an individual was born, a medical physician checked the nature of the heavens from a horoscope reading, as well as when a person became ill. If a patient was born on “the influence of Saturn (a murky and malicious planet,)” that person was most likely to suffer from skin diseases (Rawcliffe 22). If the moon was an influence on the child’s birth, the prognosis was irritability, colds, and even insanity. But, most medical physicians sought help from a hierarchy of their profession, because knowledge of astrology was held to this elite group.
Certain medical test helped the “York Barbers” during the Middle Ages, describing twelve signs that were related to human limbs and organs (Rawcliffe 23). Such beliefs were based upon characteristics such as a lion that lies on his chest; therefore a person would “preside over his chest,” whereas the scorpion that stung with his tail represented genitalia. This beliefs were had serious intentions, but brought even the bizarre medical clarifications.
Only through a correct understanding of the heavens could a medical physician be able to diagnose a patient and cure their disease. During the summer months including when the moon was out at night, it made it very uneasy for a physician to treat a patient. In some practices, physicians let out the blood of their patient stating that this would rebalance the bodily humors. Furthermore, a medical almanac was made to inform and individual when it was the right time to engage in any sexual behavior without putting the humors in an imbalance. Another practice that medieval medicine was based upon was a diet regime, which is said to be in accordance with the planets.
If the fate of a patient was in the hands of the physician, the physician turned quickly to the nature of the stars and having no control over them blamed the stars for a patient’s death. Even most surgeons were acquitted of the patient’s death in the Middle Ages. Eventually, throughout the next century, the theory of the man being part of the universe was displaced and no longer believed to be true even though it gave great confidence and knowledge to Greek physicians throughout Europe. Works Cited
1. Rawcliffe, Carole. Sources for the History of Medicine in Late Medieval England. Kalamazoo, MI: Medieval Institute
Publications, 1995.
FYS 101
Garcia
2/21/07
Wiki 4, Man and the Universe
In order to understand the diseases and illnesses diagnosed by medical physicians, the Greeks “evolved an all embracing eminently coherent explanation of the workings of the human body” (Rawcliffe 22). This explanation originated from the concept that each individual functioned and acted the same as the universe itself. The Greeks stated that each individual shared the aspects and adapted, just as the universe did, to any changes that may occur whether it be “environmental or planetary influences” (Rawcliffe 22).
Although none of the early Christian believers disbelieved this concept, but because of their “pagan” belief, other Christians quickly challenged any practices that were concerned with a person’s free will (Rawcliffe 22). Beginning in the twelfth century, texts dealing with astronomy written by Greek, Arab, and Hebrew scholars, made it possible to relate this unreliable subject into the basic university curriculum (Rawcliffe 22). This development in the curriculum had many set backs for medical education and by the fifteenth century, the relationship between the universe and an individual were very common.
In order for medical physicians to correctly diagnose a patient, they often had to seek advice from a horoscope reading. For example, when an individual was born, a medical physician checked the nature of the heavens from a horoscope reading, as well as when a person became ill. If a patient was born on “the influence of Saturn (a murky and malicious planet,)” that person was most likely to suffer from skin diseases (Rawcliffe 22). If the moon was an influence on the child’s birth, the prognosis was irritability, colds, and even insanity. But, most medical physicians sought help from a hierarchy of their profession, because knowledge of astrology was held to this elite group.
Certain medical test helped the “York Barbers” during the Middle Ages, describing twelve signs that were related to human limbs and organs (Rawcliffe 23). Such beliefs were based upon characteristics such as a lion that lies on his chest; therefore a person would “preside over his chest,” whereas the scorpion that stung with his tail represented genitalia. This beliefs were had serious intentions, but brought even the bizarre medical clarifications.
Only through a correct understanding of the heavens could a medical physician be able to diagnose a patient and cure their disease. During the summer months including when the moon was out at night, it made it very uneasy for a physician to treat a patient. In some practices, physicians let out the blood of their patient stating that this would rebalance the bodily humors. Furthermore, a medical almanac was made to inform and individual when it was the right time to engage in any sexual behavior without putting the humors in an imbalance. Another practice that medieval medicine was based upon was a diet regime, which is said to be in accordance with the planets.
If the fate of a patient was in the hands of the physician, the physician turned quickly to the nature of the stars and having no control over them blamed the stars for a patient’s death. Even most surgeons were acquitted of the patient’s death in the Middle Ages. Eventually, throughout the next century, the theory of the man being part of the universe was displaced and no longer believed to be true even though it gave great confidence and knowledge to Greek physicians throughout Europe.
Works Cited
1. Rawcliffe, Carole. Sources for the History of Medicine in Late
Medieval England. Kalamazoo, MI: Medieval Institute
Publications, 1995.