Miasma (Bad Air) — People believed disease was caused by "bad smells" from rotting matter, swamps, or the dead. This is why they carried posies of flowers and burned herbs.
God's Punishment — Many believed disease was God punishing sinners. The cure? Prayer, pilgrimage, and repentance. Flagellants whipped themselves to show penance.
Astrology — Doctors consulted star charts. Certain planetary alignments were thought to cause illness. Treatments were timed according to zodiac signs.
Supernatural — Demons, witchcraft, or curses were blamed. "Wise women" were sometimes executed as witches if their remedies failed.
This deep dive covers Other Medieval Beliefs within Medieval Ideas about Disease for GCSE History. Revise Medieval Ideas about Disease in Medicine Through Time for GCSE History with 8 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 4 of 15 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Medieval Ideas about Disease
According to the Four Humours theory, what caused illness?
Why did Galen often make mistakes about human anatomy?
Quick recall flashcards
What was uroscopy?
Examining a patient's urine — its colour, smell, clarity, and taste — to diagnose disease. A standard medieval diagnostic technique based on humour theory.
What was miasma?
The belief that disease was caused by "bad air" or smells from rotting matter