The Millennium Bug: Health and Medicine around the Year 1000
Peregrine Horden
This introductory paper has two main themes: first, what can be said about the diseases characteristic of period in question; second, generalizations are possible medicine that could deployed against them. After a preliminary discussion extent to which system dating from Christ's incarnation governed chronology those who fall within our scope, raises question whether year 1000 prompted millenial 'fever'. leads into an account concept 'pathocoenosis', tableau interrelated prevalent at any one place and time. The limitations tenth- eleventh-century evidence available for such project examined, philosophical objections disease history reviewed, agenda future research outlined. then turns features medical texts on investigation therapeutic practice early Middle Ages must depend: as amorphousness, mutability, lack theory, elusive connection with clinical reality. Finally, some wider implications special issue delineated-concerning presumed contrasts between East West, and, respect relationship theory practice, later Ages.
Social history of medicine|PubMed