folK heAlerS

In the early part of the medieval period, folk healers were all that
existed to help anyone who was sick or injured. The term empiric
was used as a pejorative by some during the Middle Ages when
referring to folk healers; while the word generally is used to describe
methodology based on experience, it was used by medieval physicians
to describe those who practiced using skills honed through
experience, but without regard to the science or “deep insight” into
the problem. Empirics made up the largest group of health providers
in medieval Europe, and both men and women were included.
Some of these empirics were generalists; others specialized in one
type of care or another. (Midwives, discussed in chapter 5, would
have been included in this category.) Their approaches to treatment
varied widely, from fi rst-aid measures (simple cleaning and bandaging)
to the use of medicinal herbs or prayers and magic.

Empirics had no formal training. Some likely studied under
other healers but many learned medicine through experience, relying
on their own instincts. Most of these healers understood and
Catherine of Sienna ca. 1515 by Domenico Beccafumi (1486–1551)
(The Yorck Project)
practiced the use of herbal folk remedies as well as bloodletting,
cauterization, and cupping. The quality of overall care and the
results varied greatly. Many would have provided sensitive care
that would have been comforting and perhaps effective, and while
many had good reputations, written records show that empirics
were commonly cited in civil trials and in criminal prosecutions.
Many of these cases were filed when a cure failed; very few lawsuits
arose over lack of licensing.
Some healers were in the regular employ of a major household
or a monastery and earned an annual income. Others were simply
the local person to whom people turned for help. Still others were
“for hire” on a case by case basis and traveled from community
to community. Within this group there were probably charlatans
who sold potions and left town quickly.
Later on, these folk healers were excluded from the medical
profession when university training became possible for
some, and a trend toward licensing requirements began to grow.
However, practically speaking, healers still were likely in high
demand since most town residents would not have had access to
a university-trained physician, nor would they have been able
to afford them even if these professionals had been more easily
available.