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6 - Medieval Europe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 March 2023

Piers D. Mitchell
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge
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Summary

The most widespread evidence for parasite infection in medieval Europe is for species spread by poor sanitation, such as whipworm, roundworm, and the protozoa Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia duodenalis, likely related to the common use of human faeces as a crop fertilizer. The prevalence of infection by intestinal helminths has been shown to be at least a quarter to a third of the medieval population, with a broad north–south divide in the dominant types of parasite. While species spread by poor sanitation were present throughout the continent, in northern Europe where eating raw, smoked, dried, or pickled fish was common, fish tapeworm resulted. The use of dogs by farmers put them at risk of infection by Echinococcus granulosus as shown by calcified hydatid cysts. Human fleas and body lice helped spread the Black Death pandemic from the fourteenth century onwards. Medical practitioners thought intestinal worms were formed due to an excess of phlegm (one of the four bodily humours), while ectoparasites were formed due to putrefying humours, sweat, and grime. Delousing combs were widely used to remove head lice, while the wealthy in Italy applied mercury ointments to their hair.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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  • Medieval Europe
  • Piers D. Mitchell, University of Cambridge
  • Book: Parasites in Past Civilizations and Their Impact upon Health
  • Online publication: 30 March 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9780511732386.006
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  • Medieval Europe
  • Piers D. Mitchell, University of Cambridge
  • Book: Parasites in Past Civilizations and Their Impact upon Health
  • Online publication: 30 March 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9780511732386.006
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Medieval Europe
  • Piers D. Mitchell, University of Cambridge
  • Book: Parasites in Past Civilizations and Their Impact upon Health
  • Online publication: 30 March 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9780511732386.006
Available formats
×