17. Medieval doctors made advances in the treatment of burns
Burns were a common form of injury in medieval times, understandably given the open-hearth fires and the use of flame as a source of light. Flames and heated items were also weapons of war, flaming arrows were dispatched in the general direction of an enemy by archers, and bundles of burning faggots were tossed by catapults. Boiling water and oil were also used as weapons, and burn injuries from boiling pots and cauldrons were common in the home. Medieval doctors practiced advanced techniques in the treatment of burns, concentrating on preventing the injured area from becoming dry. Severe burns, those later called third-degree, were likely to be fatal. But lesser burns were successfully treated as often as not.
Doctors took steps to prevent the burn from blistering, keeping it moist by the application of salves and ointments prepared in advance for the purpose and kept in sealed jars. Using vinegar as a base, the salves included oils extracted from several herbs, as well as opium, oil of roses, and eggs used as a thickening agent. The ointment was applied and reapplied as necessary to keep the injured area from drying out and blisters arising on the skin. The treatment of burns was an early example of lessons learned by surgeons on the battlefield being applied to civilian medical practice, and one of the more successful developments of medicine during the medieval period.