Read the following statements surrounding the causes of disease and illness c.1500-1700.

Do they show change or continuity from the medieval period? Explain

your choice, referring to how disease was treated in the medieval period.

Statement Change or Explain your choice

continuity?

Very few physicians believed the Theory of the Four Humours Change Galen’s Theory of the Four Humours was a popular theory that medieval
by 1700. physicians used to explain illness. It was especially popular as it matched with
the Church’s belief that the human body was a perfect creation.

Medical books were still widely used. Although more

observations were undertaken, physicians still relied on
textbooks for looking up symptoms.

The idea that disease was spread by bad smells (miasmata) was
constant. It even became more widespread during epidemics.

Physicians carried out more observations and had a much

better understanding of human anatomy.

Although astrology was less popular from 1500, in times of

epidemics people still wore charms and amulets to ward of
disease.

Although most people recognised that God did not send

disease, in times of disease, such as the Great Plague, religious
causes were still considered.
William Harvey, an influential scientist,
published a new theory in 1628 that said that
blood circulated around the body as opposed
to being produced by the liver.
By 1683 more powerful microscopes were
being developed. This allowed little animals or
‘animalcules’ to be observed. Although not
very clear, this was the first recorded
observation of bacteria and was a ground-
breaking discovery.
The Roya Society was set up, meeting for the
first time at Gresham College in London in
1660. Its aim was to promote and carry out
experiments to further the understanding of
science. They also promoted the sharing of
scientific knowledge and encouraged
argument over new theories and ideas. The
Royal Society received its royal charter from
Charles II in 1662
Although there were new ideas in science and
technology, the lack of quality medical
instruments, particularly microscopes,
prevented rapid change in people’s ideas
about the causes of diseases during this
period. Consequently, people returned to the
ideas of Hippocrates and Galen. During the
16th century, 590 editions of Galen’s writings
were published.
One of the key changes in the Renaissance
was the rise of humanism: a love of
learning and a belief that humans could
make up their own minds with regards to
the truth of the world around them.
The printing press was invented in 1440.
This allowed information to be spread
accurately and quickly. Scientists across
Europe could publish their work and share
it much faster than if done by hand. It also
took from the Church its traditional role in
copying books.
Thomas Sydenham refused to rely on
medical textbooks. Instead, he observed
the symptoms and treated the disease
causing them. He encouraged physicians to
take detailed descriptions of a patient’s
symptoms before diagnosis.
In effect, the practice of medicine changed
very little in this period. Blood-letting and
herbal remedies were still common
practice, as was a belief in the Four
Humours, particularly among non-
professionals. However, ideas changed a
great deal and were just lacking the
technology to put these ideas into
practice. For example, Thomas Sydenham
could not isolate and identify the various
disease causing microorganisms that his
microscope could see.
Thomas Sydenham, an English physician,
published a medical textbook in 1676 called
Observationes Medicae. This theorised that
illness was caused by external factors, as
opposed to the Four Humours.
Due to the Reformation, the Church had less
impact in people’s everyday lives. This
allowed more experimentation to be carried
out in medicine. Dissections of human
bodies were carried out that allowed
physicians to learn more about the workings
of the human body.
In 1665 the Royal Society began publishing
their scientific journal, Philosophical
Tranasactions. The journal had letters, book
reviews and experiments that scientists
could learn from. It is still published to this
day.
SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
INDIVIDUALS
INSTITUTIONS
• How would we sum up the changes and continuities between the
Medieval period and the Renaissance period?
EXAM STYLE QUESTION. PAPER 1: SECTION B, QUESTION 3
• Explain one way in which ideas about the cause of disease and
illness were similar in the 14th and 17th centuries