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Travelers always face health risks when they stay away from home. The Middle Ages were not exempt from it. Pilgrims, crusades and others Warned “Threats on Earth, Threats in Sea, Dangers of Thieves, Dangers of Hunters, Dangers of Fighting” through preachers such as 13th century Jacques de Vitry.
There were also risks to health: illness, good nutrition and dehydration, injury, accident and poison. Middle passengers were active and innovative in an attempt to prevent poor health while staying away.
Although the “Middle Ages” continues to be used to show backwardness in medical and scientific knowledge, this history of precautionary medicines shows us a bit different.
There is a particularly interesting combination of healthcare instructions for travelers “De Regimine et Via Itineris et Fine Peregrinatium “ (“About the Traveler’s Travel Method and Method”). The text was compiled by Adam of Karimona near 1227-28 for the German Emperor Frederick II, which was about to go out on the Crusader.
Non -modified and To live in the same mateToo much attracted to Adam Ibn Sina’s The 11th -century Cannon of Medicine, used for medical education in medieval universities.
Adam advised that bloodshed (flabotomy) depends on the “will and mood” of the stars before and then regularly before the emperor’s journey.
Blood was central to the medical medical process. It was used to extract the vein and remove blood from the body. It was performed as a prevention and in the case of some medieval religious communities, from time to time, as part of the monastic regulation and discipline.
By dedicating about 25 chapters of your text to the flabotomy, Adam attracted the idea that by bleeding. Fun (Four fluids thought of forming the body: blood, yellow, black leaf and mucus), remove the “bad” and balance the body to prepare for a healthy journey.
Although the modern medicine has abandoned the concept of four humor since then, some have continued bloodshed and “lean therapy” performance. Medical settings For specific purposes.
Adam advised all passengers to take care of the blood -shed devices – especially the leaflets on the road. His writing included warnings to distinguish between luncheon: good (round and shiny) and bad (black or blue is found near color and water).
He also instructed carefully about how to clean the water, as well as advised about the dose (with more and more fruits and vegetables with a passenger home diet), the importance of rest and proper sleep, And the importance of regular bathing. .
The dysentery was a leading threat to the journey, especially for the Crusaders, and Adam’s guide reflected all the passengers’ desire to avoid the digestive system.
The balance of the body and the soul
Knowledge about water supply was especially important for travelers.
A Hajj guide He informed the passengers that one of the best water sources in the holy land is out of Haifa in Israel of modern times.
Theoderic guide for the sacred land Reminded the passengers that there was no water other than rain water in Jerusalem which was collected by the inhabitants and stored in the pools for daily use.
Medieval travelers were also reminded to take special care of their feet. In 1260 Vincent of Beauvais He instructed passengers to use passengers to use oil, plants and silver (Mercury) polyts (dressing for wounds) to prevent and manage blisters – this is a disease that experiences long -distance Visitors happen.
Karimona’s Adam advised passengers to control their pace while walking, especially on the roads.
The overall benefit of exercise was generally considered. Preachers like jacques de vitry told the congregation The movement makes the body healthy. Physically and spiritually, therefore should be done regularly before and during the journey.
Different climate and environment meant dangerous animals. It was said that the holy land is a home of poisonous snakes.
The passengers took with you. TheresicA stream that is partially made from snake meat, in the form of cutting. It will be swallowed on the wound or dirty.
Crocodiles in Egypt were also often mentioned as a threat. There were no stories for the attack, but warning passengers in advance helped them to be alert.
Medieval travelers did not completely leave their fate in God. Even the Crusaders took precautionary measures to balance physical and spiritual health before and during their journey.
They confessed to sins, demanded blessings for the protection of their property and goods, and took with them such charming and amulets that were believed to be “protecting the health and soul of the body”. The Italian blessing of the 12th century This “divine prophylaxis” runs along with more practical care of the physical body – a complete theory of health and spiritually health.
The steps and treatment available to medieval pilgrims and other travelers may be limited and perhaps dangerous to modern readers. But like all the passengers, the Middle Ages used the knowledge they had and sometimes tried to maintain good health in difficult situations.
The desire to stay healthy is a very human thing, and its long history of medieval reminds us that good health has always been carefully administered carefully as treatment.
Editor’s Note: Meagan Cassidy-Welch is a professor of history and Dean of Research Strategy at the University of Divanity at the Box Hill, Australia. She receives funds from the Australian Research Council.
