Populations of the medieval towns grew larger, hygienic conditions got even worse, following to a horrible array of health problems. Medical knowledge was limited. Despite the efforts of medical practitioners, public, and religious institutions to institute. Europe didn’t have the needed health care system. In the 1800’s antibiotics were finally invented. Diseases were almost impossible to cure if you didn’t have them! 

     As there still are today and in the Middle Ages myths and superstitions floated about health and hygiene. For example people believed that diseases spread through bad odors. Another example is people thought diseases of the body resulted from sins of the soul. People sought of relief of their illnesses through medication, prayer, and pilgrimages. 

     The body was viewed as part of the universe, a concept that derived from the Greeks and Roman. Four humors or body fluids were directly rated to the four elements: fire=yellow, bile or choler; water=phlegm; Earth=black bile; air=blood. The four humors had to be balanced or else it could cause change in personality.

     Medicine was often risky business! 
Bloodletting was a very popular method yet also very dangerous if done wrong. Bloodletting was also popular by restoring a patients health and humors. Earl surgery was often done by barbers without anesthesia, must have been bad.