Maniac Medieval Medical Musings
Medieval medicine was extremely weird and hazy,
By today’s standard, most would say it was dangerous and crazy.
Doctors thought when people became ill and queasy,
It was caused by behavior that was downright beastly.
Villagers said the best way to stay away from disease,
Was to live in a way that was sure to please.
But in the event that illness did take hold,
Doctors offered care that was always brash and bold.
These so-called “doctors” tried to cure
By making remedies that were far from pure.
Drinks, powders, and even lotions;
These “treatments” were more like magical potions.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione would have been in demand,
Making potions and casting spells all throughout the land.
Hogwarts professors would have been proud of the remedies mixed with care;
Many included herbs, spices, bones, and sometimes even animal hair.
The wealthy could buy the most promising elixirs,
But the peasants were stuck with many lethal mixtures.
When the Black Death from Asia came calling,
Nothing could keep thousands and thousands from falling.
This horrible disease spread mostly by trade,
Caused more deaths than if the Huns were to invade.
There was no magic trick to stop this plague,
So people did their best to stay away from its stage.
This horrible disease did not care about stature nor wealth,
It just travelled from manor to manor, destroying health.
Staying alive and well in these times was hard to be sure,
The best treatment became “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.