Meet the Middle Ages
BackMedical care
If one fell ill or had an accident , one could not work. It could be very difficult for a peasant if he was taken ill in the middle of the hay-making or the harvest. The peasant’s wife knew how to take care of a wound and something about the herbs and plants which might help against illness. If the illness did not go away, one had to get help from a wise old man or woman. They had ointments and potions which would help the sick. Sometimes, they read a chant against evil, to help the patient to get well.
Those who lived near a convent in the country-side could get help from the monks and nuns. They knew a lot about herbs and remedies.
Diseases did not spread as quickly in the country-side as in town. On the other hand, if the peasants needed treatment at a convent, they often had a long distance to walk. Medieval people had to accept that all injuries could not be healed, or that they might not recover from a disease. They lived close to ill-health and death in a way that we don’t.
If you want to know more about illness, read "Society. Life and Death" and "Town Life. Workdays and Holidays".