Medieval History

Evidence found at the ancient Soutra Hospital site, in Scotland, suggests the medieval Augustine monks also knew how to amputate limbs, fashion surgical instruments, induce birth, stop scurvy and even create hangover cures.

One of the exciting finds was of the abundance of hemlock in the drains. Scientists think the monks had used this as a painkiller before carrying out amputations.

Disease and death were a very real part of daily life in the medieval world. It is estimated that up to half of Europe’s population was eradicated during the Great Plague of the 14th century. Another part of daily life in the medieval world was the overwhelming force of religion and the prevalence of Christianity in society. It is believed most people couldn’t imagine a world in which God and the Christian Faith didn’t exist. It is these two life constants together that led the devout to become experts in the healing of physical ailments as well as spiritual. There was no gap between science and religion. The belief in God and the understanding of science were one and the same.

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