MEDI/EVAL SCIENCE IN THE WEST 



Byzantine school was presently replaced by that of 

 tlu- conquering Arabians. 



THIRTEENTH-CENTURY MEDICINE 



The thirteenth century marks the beginning of a 

 gradual change in medicine, and a tendency to leave 

 the time-worn rut of superstitious dogmas that so long 

 retarded the progress of science. It is thought that 

 the great epidemics which raged during the Middle 

 Ages acted powerfully in diverting the medical thought 

 of the times into new and entirely different channels. 

 It will be remembered that the teachings of Galen were 

 handed through mediaeval times as the highest and best 

 authority on the subject of all diseases. When, how- 

 ever, the great epidemics made their appearance, the 

 medical men appealed to the works of Galen in vain 

 for enlightenment, as these works, having been written 

 several centuries before the time of the plagues, nat- 

 urally contained no information concerning them. 

 It was evident, therefore, that on this subject, at least, 

 Galen was not infallible ; and it would naturally follow 

 that, one fallible point having been revealed, others 

 would be sought for. In other words, scepticism in 

 regard to accepted methods would be aroused, and 

 would lead naturally, as such scepticism usually does, 

 to progress. The devastating effects of these plagues, 

 despite prayers and incantations, would arouse doubt 

 in the minds of many as to the efficacy of superstitious 

 rites and ceremonies in curing diseases. They had 

 seen thousands and tens of thousands of their fellow- 

 beings swept away by these awful scourges. They had 

 seen the ravages of these epidemics continue for months 



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