was soon
relegated to a place among the other superstitions, and the influence
of the Byzantine school was presently replaced by that of the conquering
Arabians.

THIRTEENTH-CENTURY MEDICINE

The thirteenth century marks the beginning of a gradual change in
medicine, and a tendency to leave the time-worn rut of superstitious
dogmas that so long retarded the progress of science. It is thought that
the great epidemics which raged during the Middle Ages acted powerfully
in diverting the medical thought of the times into new and entirely
different channels. It will be remembered that the teachings of Galen
were handed through mediaeval times as the highest and best authority
on the subject of all diseases. When, however, the great epidemics made
their appearance, the medical men appealed to the works of Galen in vain
for enlightenment, as these works, having been written several centuries
before the time of the plagues, naturally contained no information
concerning them. It was evident, therefore, that on this subject, at
least, Galen was not infallible; and it would naturally follow that,
one fallible point having been revealed, others would be sought for. In
other words, scepticism in regard to accepted methods would be aroused,
and would lead naturally, as such scepticism usually does, to
progress. The devastating effects of these plagues, despite prayers and
incantations, would arouse doubt in the minds of many as to the efficacy
of superstitious rites and ceremonies in curing diseases. They had seen
thousands and tens of thousands of their fellow-beings swept away by
these awful scourges. They had seen the ravages of these epidemics
continue for months or even years, notwithstanding the fact that
multitudes of God-fearing people prayed hourly that such ravages might
be checked. And they must have observed also that when even very simple
rules of cleanliness and hygiene were followed there was a diminution
in the ravages of the plague, even without the aid of incantations. Such
observations as these would have a tendency to awaken a suspicion in the
minds of many of the physicians that disease was not a manifestation
of the supernatural, but a natural phenomenon, to be treated by natural
methods.

But, be the causes what they may, it is a fact that the thirteenth
century marks a turning-point, or the beginning of an attitude of mind
which resulted in bringing medicine to a much more rational position.
Among the t