Ideas about the cause of disease and illness Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What was the most common supernatural/religious explanation for disease in medieval England?

That illness was a punishment sent by God for sin.

Give one astrological explanation for disease believed in medieval England.

That the movement or alignment of the planets caused disease.

What was the Theory of the Four Humours?

The idea that the body contains four liquids — blood, phlegm, black bile and yellow bile — and illness is caused by them being out of balance.

What was miasma?

Bad or impure air, believed to be filled with harmful fumes from rotting matter, thought to cause disease.

Why did Galen's ideas remain unchallenged in England c1250–c1500?

The Church controlled medical training and supported Galen, whose idea that the body was designed by a creator fitted Christian teaching, so challenging him was discouraged.

True or false? The Church encouraged people to investigate the natural causes of disease.

False. The Church taught that illness was sent by God, which discouraged people from improving their understanding of the cause of illness.