The Middle Ages - Why were doctors still reading Galen in 1350?

The Middle Ages - Why were doctors still reading Galen in 1350?

1. Trade/Communication

   • Dangerous to travel
   • Trade was disrupted
     • less ideas shared
   • Doctors couldn't share ideas
   • If there were no new ideas , people stuck with what they knew
     • Galen
   • CLOSELY

2. Education

   • Priests and Monks often were the only ones who could read
   • Monastries had the only libraries
   • Doctors were trained by the church
     • So they followed Galen
   • Students weren't expected to think for themselves
     • They just followed Galen
   • CLOSELY
   • Physicians often used a handbook called 'vade mecum' - Latin for 'Go with me'
     • These manuals include Urine Charts
       • Physicians could analyse patient's urine to help them diagnose illness
     • Or Zodiac Charts - helps physician know when to avoid certain treatments
     • As learning increased during 12th Century

3. Religion

   • Christianity was religion of Roman Empire
   • Church supported Galen's ideas
     • Fitted with the belief that God designed the body
   • Galen's books were kept in the church's libraries
   • After empire collapsed - the church got stronger
     • Was the only strong centralised organisation left
   • Had a huge influence
     • Was a church in every town
       • Told people what to believe
   • Taught people to respect old books
     • Such as the Bible and Galen's books
     • Old ideas should be respected
       • Some dissection was allowed BUT only by proving that Galen was right
         • NOT trying to challenge him
   • It was very DANGEROUS to disobey the Church
   • KEY FACTOR
   • CONNECTED

4. Government

   • No strong central government
     • Lots of little countries
   • Didn't think medicine was important
     • Focused on war and defence
       • Not paying for doctors or research
   • Only controlled small areas
     • So new ideas didn't spread
   • CONNECTED

5. War

   • Lots of War between tribes/ little countries
   • Disrupted trade/communication
   • Expensive so no money for doctors
   • Disrupted education
     • and new technology that might advance medicine
   • Training of doctors was abandoned
   • CLOSELY
   • CONNECTED