Medieval Medicine: To Live or to Die

Natalya Peletzeneva, holding a master’s degree in medieval studies from the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE), continues her education as a PhD student and works in the medieval studies research laboratory at the same university. She also writes as a science journalist for publications such as “The Knife” (Нож), “Schrödinger’s Cat,” and “Postnauka.” In her book, she examines the evolution of medical theory over thousands of years—transforming into modern medical practice with its emphasis on rationality, evidence, advanced technologies, and statistics. To understand the various stages of this development, the author offers a look at the Greek sanctuaries of Asclepius, Arabic bimaristans, luxurious estates, and the homes of city dwellers regardless of their faith. The book covers topics such as medieval beliefs about the causes of illness, historical methods of prevention, treatment methods and the layout of hospitals of the time, the struggle against epidemics, the role of women in medieval medicine, and approaches to treating mental disorders.