12. Cleansing the system to restore the balance of humors was a medical technique
Bleeding was just one method of tormenting a patient practiced by medieval doctors, with others applied as they were needed to ensure the ill were restored to balance. Sweating was another. Sweating was accomplished in a variety of ways, all of which were intended to cure regardless of the temporary discomfort they caused. One was through the repeated application of hot clothes. Another was simply building up the fire while bundling the patient in as many applications of clothes and blankets which happened to be available. Those fortunate enough to have a large tub on hand were immersed in hot water for as long as was necessary.
Purging the body of the excessive fluids which caused the imbalance was also achieved through inducing vomiting, or through ingestion of laxatives, or both. Patients deemed by their physician as too weak to endure bleeding from a vein were often treated by the application of leeches. Wine was often administered to the patient following any of the treatments, valued for its medicinal properties which were often immediately evident as indicated by the change in the patient’s mood. The application of various medicines was made as determined by the doctor present, sometimes prepared by him at the time, and sometimes obtained from the local apothecary or monastery.