Medical texts

For scholars of early medicine there are copious numbers of Mediterranean texts to provide clear evidence of practice, both surgical and medical, in the ancient world. Medical texts appeared in Latin or Greek, with the exception of the Anglo-Saxons who wrote medical texts in their own tongue as well as in Latin.

Research in the Anglo-Saxon period of Britain's written medical history is considerably challenging as there is so little evidence. Texts that do exist give a fascinating insight into medical and magical belief, both absolutely bound together in a society that was constantly aware of how close death could be. Prior to the 9th century, there are no surviving medical documents in Old English.

The two main works that exist are at opposite ends of the medically trained scale. The first is Bald's Leechbook. This is not a work about leeches but a medical handbook; the word “leech” in the Anglo-Saxon language translates to “doctor” and many believe that the animal was named after the practitioner rather than the other way round, as leeches were used so extensively in healing (and still are).

We don't know who Bald was but know his scribe's name from the statement: “Bald owns this book which he ordered Cild to compile”.

The manuscript is carefully written and made up of descriptions of various ailments and suggested cures. Latin is found in various …