The Role of War in Medieval Medicine

What role did war play in medicine in the Middle Ages?

War played an important role in the development of medicine and surgery in the Middle Ages, as warfare provided the opportunity for people to gain experience working on the wounded.

What are some examples of war influencing medicine in the Middle Ages?

Here are 2 main examples of the role that war played:

• ❖ Wartime surgeons discovered the use of opium as a painkiller.
• ❖ John of Arderne's surgical textbook was based on his time in the Hundred Years War.