Physicians

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Official Physicians had to go through training at medical school through a University. At the University, there was a focus on hypothetical studies over practical knowledge.

Starting in the 13th Century, Italy Physicians formed local boards called colleges, which contained only university-educated practicing physicians to control who became a physician, to set and uphold standards of conduct, and advised civil authorities.

By the 14th Century, medical education ensured there were more physicians. Elizabeth's 9,000 English parishes shared 814 physicians (11:1) (doesn't list population, just parishes).

  • London had 1 physician for 4,000 residences
  • Barcelona 1 physician for 1,450 residences
  • Venice had 1 physician for 2,222 residences
  • Lyons had 1 physician for 4,143 residences

Physicians were often vilified, like Clergy and Lawyers, they were arrogant and ineffective. They often charged too much and knowingly defrauded patients. They would make or keep their patients sick to empty their wallets. Often mocked for their Latin gibberish and dependent on astrology.

In 1348, Orvieto, Italy Doctor Matteo du Angelo got paid 4x the normal salary received free housing, immediate citizenship, and free meals.

Black Plague[edit | edit source]

Between 1347 - 1352, Montpellier lost entire facility of physicians, Venice lost 20 - 24, Perpignan lost 6 of 8.

When Physicians visited the sick in their homes, they took the pulse, estimated the fever, examined urine and excrement. There was very little they could do except provide comfort with opiate containing drugs as theriac. As the threat of plague, they began distancing themselves from victims, staying at arms lengths.

During the decline of death tolls during the plague, Physicians took credit for their remedies/treatments at stopping the plague.