keskilääketieteen

Keskilääketiede, meaning "Middle Medicine" in Finnish, refers to a historical period and body of medical knowledge that existed in the Nordic countries, particularly Finland, roughly between the late medieval period and the early modern era. This era predates the formalization of modern scientific medicine and encompasses a blend of traditional folk remedies, learned medical practices influenced by continental Europe, and religious or spiritual beliefs about health and illness.

During the period of Keskilääketiede, medical practitioners included university-trained physicians, barber-surgeons, and a variety of healers such as wise women and folk practitioners. Learned medicine often drew upon humoral theory, inherited from ancient Greek and Roman medicine, and relied on remedies derived from plants, minerals, and animal products. Treatments could include bloodletting, purging, and the application of poultices and salves.

Alongside these more formal practices, folk medicine played a significant role. This involved a deep knowledge of local flora and fauna for medicinal purposes, often passed down orally through generations. Supernatural and magical elements were also frequently intertwined with healing practices, with prayers, incantations, and amulets used to combat illness. The church also had a role in healing, with monasteries often serving as early centers of care and with religious faith seen as a crucial component of recovery. The understanding of anatomy and physiology was rudimentary compared to today, and scientific inquiry into disease causation was limited. Keskilääketiede represents a crucial transitional phase in the development of Western medicine, bridging the gap between ancient traditions and the emerging scientific methodologies of later centuries.