Medieval surgery
I can evaluate the extent of progress made in medieval surgery.
Medieval surgery
I can evaluate the extent of progress made in medieval surgery.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Medieval surgery was performed by barber-surgeons.
- Bloodletting was the most common form of medieval surgery.
- Barber-surgeons also performed procedures such as pulling teeth, amputations and trepanning.
- Pain, infection and blood loss were major problems of surgery.
- Despite some helpful developments, the major problems of surgery were not overcome in the medieval period.
Keywords
Invasive - in this context, medical treatments which involve cutting into the body
Amputation - the cutting off of a part of the body
Trepanning - surgery which involved drilling a hole into the skull
Anaesthetic - a substance that makes you unable to feel pain
Cauterisation - the action of burning body tissue using heat to stop an injury from bleeding or getting infected
Common misconception
There was no change in medieval surgery.
New developments did occur, such as the use of opium as an anaesthetic and wine to use against infection, but the impact of these was limited.
To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: Medieval surgery, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: Medieval surgery, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
cauterisation
using wine on wounds
providing patients with opium