Medieval Superstitions & Medicine

Use the following websites to start your research:

1. http://listverse.com/2014/03/03/10-completely-uncanny-superstitions-from-the-middle-ages/
2. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8913709/Tony-Robinson-on-the-top-fivesuperstitions-that-gripped-medieval-Britain.html
3. http://www.stylist.co.uk/life/13-strange-superstitions
4. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/health_and_medicine_in_medieval_.htm
5. http://listverse.com/2013/07/31/10-bizarre-medieval-medical-practices/
6. https://www.aimseducation.edu/blog/medieval-medical-practices-still-use-today/
After skimming the websites above, choose the 1 superstition AND the 1 medical
practice that intrigue you the MOST. Continue your narrowed research to learn the
specific details of each. Compile a list of at least 10 facts about each. Bookmark the
website(s) where you found your information on your Pearltrees account.
Superstition: Tuck your thumbs in if you pass a graveyard
1. The thumbs were considered the parent-finger.
2. Hiding your thumbs while passing a graveyard protects your parents form death.
3. Most men and women believe that you should hide your thumbs or put them
away.
4. This originated in Japan.
5. For example, the statue of Ueshiba has his thumbs tucked into his fists.
6. Very common in Shinto practices.
7. Priests also practice this in the churches to prevents deaths.
8. This also happens when a hearse passes you.
9. Some believe that it protects any loved one from dying soon
10.
The thumb is also called the Oya yubi in Japanese .
Title of Website: http://www.stylist.co.uk/life/13-strange-superstitions

Medical Practice: Blood Letting

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When blood was taken out of the body from a certain part of the body.
It released bad blood from your body
Leeches helped, but it was only used for royalty
Dirty knives only made things worse for the patient
This was a first-line treatment.
Medicines oldest practices
Originated in Egypt then spread to Greece
This treatment was used for conditions like plague, smallpox, epilepsy and gout.
The main instruments were called lancets and fleams

10.
Charles the second suffered from seizures and used bloodletting to help get
reduce them.

Title of Website:
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/health_and_medicine_in_medieval_.htm