Mariam Elalfy
Explain the significance of Hippocratic and Galenic medicine after c1000. (8 marks)
The ideas and theories of the Hippocratic and Galenic medicine were quite significant as they held
back years of progression that could have been made by doctors from the medieval time period
through to the early modern stages. This was due to the fact that their ideas, in particular Galen’s
idea that there was only one God who made each human and their anatomy, fitted those of a
Christian. In the short term, it made it hard for anyone to challenge his writings and teachings as it
would also mean disagreeing with the church; the impact this had on the general public was
immense as it meant they could not get an improved version of medical care for a much longer
period of time. Even through to the early modern period when doctors in training, who still studied
medical theories and books of Galen and Hippocrates, began to question their research got sent to
prison, just as Roger Bacon did (an early thirteenth century monk.) The church saw their findings as a
way of explaining why god would inflict such illness onto people and this gave people comfort and
restored faith and love in God. It is because of this that their work and ideas were a hindrance to
modern medicine and the work of doctors in the c1500.
The work of Hippocrates and Galen are extremely significant as some of the theories they founded
improved a doctor’s diagnosis in the medieval period. The theory of clinical observation, where a
patient would describe to their doctors their symptoms over a period of time and samples of urine
and stool would be studied in order for a doctor to work out the illness a patient had and the
corresponding treatment to it. Although another incorrect theory relating to the 4 humours is closely
associated with this and treatments to the illness at the time were often not exactly the perfect cure,
this theory had a great significance at the time as is improved the quality of medical care during the
medieval period drastically and the idea that medicine was caused by natural issues-rather than the
supernatural- was introduced and put into practise this way. The significance of the theory of clinical
observation is shown by its relevance today where doctors still use this method of diagnosis to
identify the illnesses patients suffer with; methods such as stool and urine examination are still in
place. This proves the long-term significance of the work of Hippocrates and Galen as they improved
and advanced medical theories marginally and this led to the drastic improvement of medical care
given by doctors through the medieval period until modern day.
Explain the significance of Hippocratic and Galenic medicine after c1000. (8 marks)
The ideas and theories of the Hippocratic and Galenic medicine were quite significant as they held
back years of progression that could have been made by doctors from the medieval time period
through to the early modern stages. This was due to the fact that their ideas, in particular Galen’s
idea that there was only one God who made each human and their anatomy, fitted those of a
Christian. In the short term, it made it hard for anyone to challenge his writings and teachings as it
would also mean disagreeing with the church; the impact this had on the general public was
immense as it meant they could not get an improved version of medical care for a much longer
period of time. Even through to the early modern period when doctors in training, who still studied
medical theories and books of Galen and Hippocrates, began to question their research got sent to
prison, just as Roger Bacon did (an early thirteenth century monk.) The church saw their findings as a
way of explaining why god would inflict such illness onto people and this gave people comfort and
restored faith and love in God. It is because of this that their work and ideas were a hindrance to
modern medicine and the work of doctors in the c1500.
The work of Hippocrates and Galen are extremely significant as some of the theories they founded
improved a doctor’s diagnosis in the medieval period. The theory of clinical observation, where a
patient would describe to their doctors their symptoms over a period of time and samples of urine
and stool would be studied in order for a doctor to work out the illness a patient had and the
corresponding treatment to it. Although another incorrect theory relating to the 4 humours is closely
associated with this and treatments to the illness at the time were often not exactly the perfect cure,
this theory had a great significance at the time as is improved the quality of medical care during the
medieval period drastically and the idea that medicine was caused by natural issues-rather than the
supernatural- was introduced and put into practise this way. The significance of the theory of clinical
observation is shown by its relevance today where doctors still use this method of diagnosis to
identify the illnesses patients suffer with; methods such as stool and urine examination are still in
place. This proves the long-term significance of the work of Hippocrates and Galen as they improved
and advanced medical theories marginally and this led to the drastic improvement of medical care
given by doctors through the medieval period until modern day.
