Learn: Supernatural and Religious Ideas of Causes of Disease

Welcome!Welcome to today's lesson designed just for you! We're going to explore supernatural and religious ideas about the causes of disease. Let’s break it down step by step and learn why people in the past believed certain things caused illnesses.

What were supernatural and religious ideas?During the Middle Ages, illnesses were often explained using supernatural (beyond the natural world) and religious ideas. People believed disease could be caused by God as a punishment for sins or as a test of faith. This meant that healing often focused on prayer and repentance rather than physical remedies.

The Role of the ChurchThe Church was very powerful during the Middle Ages. It controlled education and most people trusted its teachings. The Church encouraged the belief that disease was caused by spiritual reasons like sin or demonic possession. This influenced how people approached treatment, focusing on prayer and holy rituals.

Astrology and PlanetsAnother common belief was that the movement of the stars and planets could cause illness. This was based on ideas that the alignment of celestial bodies influenced human health. Astrologers were often consulted to offer explanations and advice.

The Four HumoursA key belief during this period was the idea of the Four Humours: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. It was thought that these humours needed to be balanced for a person to be healthy. If they were imbalanced, people believed it could lead to sickness.

Review Time!Great work! You've learned about the key supernatural and religious ideas of disease causes, including the role of God, astrology, and the Four Humours. Now let’s test your understanding with a few questions.