Medieval Medicine

Few manuscripts have as exotic a name as Bald's Leechbook, so-called after its first owner – ‘Bald owns this book, which he ordered Cild to compile’. Bald's work is an attempt to incorporate everything that is known about medicine from the Anglo-Saxon and Mediterranean world. This chapter begins, ‘Potions and leechdoms against poison’, dealing in particular with antidotes to snakebite. One remedy prescribes putting ‘so much betony as weighs three pennies’ into three bowls full of wine, then giving it to the bitten man to drink. Snakebite could also be treated by smearing earwax around the wound and reciting the prayer of St John. Don’t try this at home!

“Scientists have subsequently tested some of Bald's recipes. Far from being naive, many of the medical practices revealed useful applications for the modern world. One was even shown to counteract the MRSA virus.”

Julian Harrison
Lead Curator

Snape put them all into pairs and set them to mixing up a simple potion to cure boils. He swept around in his long black cloak, watching them weigh dried nettles and crush snake fangs, criticising almost everyone except Malfoy, whom he seemed to like.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

BALD’S LEECHBOOK (ENGLAND, 10TH CENTURY)

British Library

BALD’S LEECHBOOK (ENGLAND, 10TH CENTURY)

British Library

BALD’S LEECHBOOK (ENGLAND, 10TH CENTURY)

British Library