16 Mark questions
1. After the Romans left Britain the progress they had made in public health did not continue.
 In Roman times, fresh water was piped to Lincoln
 During Middle Ages there were public toilets in the town of Leicester
Progress
Public toilets in some towns
Gov passed a few laws to improve PH
Rich people had water pipes and toilet
Monasteries and convents were quite hygienic
Continue to avoid bad smells
No progress
Lead pipes leaked
Contaminated water
Rubbish and animal water in streets
No public provision of clean water
Gov did not think it was anything to do with
them
A few things continued into MA but this was not really progress
2. How far did ideas about the cause of disease change from the Roman period to the end of the
Middle Ages?
 Galen and belief in the Theory of Four Humours
 The Roman army was told not to camp in swampy areas
Change
Increasing influence of religion – sin and
punishment
Continuity
Galen’s theories still followed
Avoided swampy areas
Some superstitious ideas
3. To what extent did medicine and public health change between the Roman withdrawal from
Britain and c1350?
Change
Roman PH facilities largely disappeared
Increased influence of the church
Hospitals developed
Training of Doctors
Continuity
Some PH facilities in larger towns continued
Avoided swampy areas and miasma
Galen’s theories
Some superstitious ideas continued
Still didn’t know about causes of disease
Situation in villages remained the same
Quite a lot changed in public health but not that much changed in medicine
4. The Roman withdrawal from Britain was a turning point (key change) in medicine and public
health.
 Roman villas in Britain usually had a good standard of hygiene
 During the Anglo-Saxon period, collections of herbal remedies were known as ‘Leechbooks’
Roman withdrawal was a turning point
Roman withdrawal was not a turning point
PH was not maintained
Continued to use herbal remedies and
Lower standard of hygiene
superstition in treatment
War and chaos prevented development
People in villages still poor
Lack of education - dark ages
PH declined to a large extent although not totally. Still did not understand cause of disease
5. How much did medical training change from the Roman period until c1350?
 Galens’ book On Anatomy was written c190AD
 The Christian Church controlled most medical training in the Middle Ages
Change
Greater influence of church in Dr training
e.g. funded universities
Astronomy
Continuity
Galen’s theories
Rich could afford treatment