Question

In Chaucer’s day, the science of medicine was taught quite differently from the way it is taught today. Chaucer tells us the Doctor “was a very good practitioner” (line 424). If this is true, how did doctors treat their patients in the 1400s? Write a detailed paragraph describing the physician’s art, using examples and quotations from “The Prologue” to The Canterbury Tales for support.

Answer 1

Answer:

The doctors relied on astrology to diagnose and treat patients(mixes science with astrology) in 14th century. They made charms and magic effigies to balance the four humors.

Chaucer was the court poet who had been extensively popular for his painting of characters with his artistic colors. In "the general prologue to Canterbury tales", he depicts physicians or doctors who had blended up their science and astrology to treat the patients along with a touch of magic. Some of the quotes that describe the physician's art in the 14th century in Chaucer's tale are:

"with us, there was a doctor of physic,...

for talk of medicine and surgery,

he was grounded in astronomy"

"kept a patient from the pall By horoscopes and magic natural,,...

And where endangered, he was a good practitioner"

"Ready he was with his apothecaries .... and all electuaries"

Answer 2

Doctors use astrology to diagnose and treat patients. They made charms and magic effigies to balance the 4 humors.