All of us have at one time in our lives seen a scene in a movie where a flaming hot poker is used to burn away an infection. This practice is known as cauterizing a wound — and it was something they did during the Middle Ages. In fact, this treatment wasn’t only a medieval practice but an ancient one too.
Back then, people used to place a sheet of metal into a fire, and when it became red, it was hot enough to use. They then placed the red-hot poker over infected wounds to seal the wound. This wasn’t only used for infected wounds, but people also burned away their warts. Things have definitely looked up since the invention of penicillin.
Combs
Even medieval people combed their hair. Although we imagine it was much harder than combing one’s hair in the modern period. Interestingly, even ancient peoples combed their hair like the Egyptians and Scythians. Like their ancient ancestors, medieval folk didn’t have as great a range to groom themselves with, but they still wanted to look good.
Essential to grooming oneself was combing one’s tresses. Combs were used back then, but they didn’t use plastic or metal combs. Generally, people carved combs from horns, bone, or wood. The more uppity folks had lavish types that were made from ivory. Even though having an ivory comb beats having a plastic one, the plastic one does the trick.
Cures for the Plague
Naturally, medieval people were petrified of the Plague in the 14th century. The death toll was incredibly high, and they weren’t taking any chances. During this time, plenty of remedies for the plague were invented — only by today’s standards, they weren’t exactly effective. Some remedies were downright disgusting. Others were simply strange.
While there probably wasn’t an abundance of emeralds around, one remedy was to grind one up and drink it in a glass of wine. Another was to burn sweet-smelling herbs. The logic is easy to see. Sickness brings bad odors, so medieval folk thought that by burning sweet-smelling herbs, they’d get rid of the terrible smell and disease. While it mightn’t have fought the disease, at least the aromas were more pleasant.
Anti-Age Remedies
It turns out that it's not only modern people who are trying to turn the clock backward but also our medieval ancestors. They were just as worried about getting wrinkles and, in their own ways, tried to prevent them. Where we have anti-age creams, serums, and sun lotion, medieval folk had stinking iris.
The extract of stinking iris was used as an anti-aging serum. Women would apply the juice to their faces before sleeping. In the morning, they’d pull off the extract and rinse their faces, and be greeted by a much more youthful visage. Apparently, something in the juice of stinking iris would raise the skin and remove some of the wrinkles.
Knives
If we came across someone who carried a knife on them, we’d be quite wary of them. In fact, we’d probably not want to come across them in a dark alley. But, back in the Middle Ages, we’d think nothing of it. We’d probably even be carrying knives on us too. Generally, people carried the shorter types with them as they could be used during hunting, leather-crafting, fishing, and upholstery work, making knives an especially useful tool.
Of course, these weren’t the same knives people carved meat or prepared meals with. Medieval folk used their own discretion and generally had longer knives to carve meat with. So, you wouldn’t have to worry about eating off of a knife that was used to craft leather.