Sickness and Health in 17th Century England

Georgia Ahern

Overview• What sort of cures was available in the 17th century• Why did doctors use leeches• Advances in medical treatment • Was it easy for scientists to investigate the human

body• Important discoveries made in the 17th century that

helped improve doctors' knowledge• What superstitions did people believe• Why was the Great Plague so devastating

What we understand

• The amount of poor hygiene which contributed 17th century England illness

• Fears of Malaria

What sort of cures was available in the 17th century

• Ideas brought over from the Chinese

Why did doctors use leeches

Advances in medical treatment

egg yolkoil of rosesturpentine.

Was it easy for scientists to investigate the human body

• Vesalius of Brussels

His findings are still used today in a now modernised book

Important discoveries made in the 17th century that helped improve doctors' knowledge

William Harvey

King Charles I

King Charles II

What superstitions did people believe

Salem Witch hanging

Why was the Great Plague so devastating

Bibliography

• http://www.nmm.ac.uk/places/queens-house/fact-files/health-in-the-17th-century