gasthuizen
Gasthuizen were medieval charitable institutions in the Low Countries that combined lodging with care for the sick, elderly, and poor, and for travelers and pilgrims. The term gasthuis (plural gasthuizen) literally referred to a house offering hospitality, but in practice these houses functioned as early hospitals or hospices run by religious orders, confraternities, or municipal authorities.
History and function: Gasthuizen emerged mainly between the 12th and 15th centuries. They were funded by endowments,
Evolution and legacy: In the following centuries, advances in medicine and the expansion of municipal health