한국서양중세사학회

The purpose of this research is to explore the meaning and function of women’s medical practice by analyzing medical books on medieval obstetrics and gynecology and related diseases. It can be seen that there were scientific medicine and magical charms for medical practice related to obstetrics and gynecology in the Middle Ages. Childbirth was the most dangerous moment in a woman's life. A woman's safe delivery and the life and health of the fetus are at stake for a variety of reasons including inadequate nutrition, an unclean environment, and poor medical technology. Medical practitioners emphasized cleanliness through bathing and suggested prescriptions based on the efficacy of various pharmaceuticals, although they were not advanced relative to modern medicine. Not only that, sorcery was used by folklore that relied on supernatural powers. Such sorcery was classified as a kind of medicine, appearing in medical books or included in Christian liturgy. Obstetrics and gynecology medical books were developed in the order of symptoms, disease cause analysis, and treatment. And in the magical liturgy called Charms, which is constantly used in the Middle Ages and especially in England, included aspects of Christianity including prayers for safe childbirth for women appeared. These magical rituals not only relied on supernatural powers, but there were also cases where the mother performed the ritual herself. Certain charms performed during childbirth, although not for these specific purposes, happened to include movements that facilitate steady breathing and pelvic rocking when seen from the perspective of modern medicine. Even in the Middle Ages, obstetrics and gynecology were considered important, and it would be seen that various medical techniques were provided, although it may be lacking from a modern perspective.