Nancy G.
Siraisi
Medieval
& Early Renaissance Medicine
An
Introduction to Knowledge and Practice
 |
| Medieval Medicine |
The author
covers the period from the middle of 12th to 15th century
in the history of medicine. The subject is the practitioners of literate and
technical medicine in Europe. Author names three aspects of medicine in this
period that has significance for its history.
First aspect
is about the role of medicine in the history of science and technology in
Western Europe of that period. Greek science transformed the perception of
physical universe by medieval doctors. Especial significance have Ptolemaic and
Aristotelian theories. In noticed period of time Greek medicine achieved high
level of knowledge. Greek medicine development had influenced the process of
shaping ideas of human body, animal and plant kingdoms in Medieval and
Renaissance times.
The second
aspect, covered in the book, is about social and cultural patterns in medicine.
Medicine is an occupation, that combines high culture and technical progress
within one discipline. In complex society of Middle ages, men and women, clergy
and laity, scholastics and herbalists could work as medical practitioners.
Despite the great number of medieval beliefs and doctrines in medicine of that
time, scientists believe that the fundamental assumptions about human body, its
illness and wellness were made in that period.
The third
aspect connected to the higher medical education of that time, its
institutional, social and intellectual characteristics. In 16th century the
creation of new anatomy and physiology takes place; famous contributors are
Vesalius and Harvey.
These three
aspects are not only interesting things in this book. Author’s aim was not to
cover all aspects of medicine in Middle Ages and Renaissance, but to present
the most important moments of medicine science history.
Discover the
world of 12-16 centuries medical science, first practitioners, their beliefs
and theories.
