Old Bulgarian Medicine

1. Entity type Lemma
2. Original titleСтаробългарската медицина
3. Language term Bulgarian
4. lemma author Nachev, Ivaylo
5. lemma category Scientific theories and disciplines > Medicine
6. Publication date 28-1-2019
7. lemma work Георгиев, Минчо [Author]. Старобългарската медицина
8. lemma manifestations Старобългарската медицина : Old Bulgarian Medicine - Sofia: Академично Издателство Проф.Марин Дринов, 2011.
9. Keywords healing - compassion - charity
10. Lemma body

    1. The book examines medieval medicine in the Bulgarian lands in the period of 9 c. – 14 c., presenting it in the context of the Eastern Christian culture. Georgiev highlights elements of continuity and change of ideas for body, sickness and healing in medieval Bulgaria and their links with the Christian world. The book offers a full panorama for the knowledge of human body, diseases and methods for healing. The author analyses both ancient sources with information on healing practices and philosophical/theological views on cosmos, earth, man and ideas on the composition of human body. Georgiev combines information of Old Bulgarian original texts and Byzantine treaties on philosophy and medicine, elaborating on the Christian understanding of health and illness. In that paradigm health stems from a state of balance (spiritual), while illness corresponds with disturbance of that balance. The author also highlights the role of Christianity for compassion and charity and as patients received free medical care at charity Christian hospitals and shelters. Yet, faith is central in the treatment which includes prayers, pilgrimage to holy relics and sleeping in holy places.