Augustinian Medieval Medicine
Medieval Life - The use of Opium Black Henbane and Hemlock
The view from the top of Soutra Hill, high in the Lammermuir Hills is described as the, “Finest in SouthernScotland.”
On a clear day, it stretches north to the Ochil Hills and east to the Firth of Forth and the coast of Fife.
A small, solitary stone building welcomes visitor to the top of the hill, a worn inscription on the lintel reads 1686.
Medieval Augustinian Monastery
However, closer inspection reveals the sandstone building material comes from a much earlier structure – a medieval Augustinian monastery and Hospital of the Holy Trinity. It was the highest known monastery and hospital in the British Isles and was granted a charter by King Malcom IV in 1164.
Despite it’s bleak outlook, the position was well chosen, sited near the Via Regia, the main Anglo-Scottish highway.
Over the centuries, countless Scottish and English armies and other travellers tramped past this lonely monastic outpost, stopping for food, rest and medical treatment.
One expert examining this medical treatment said, “We need to push ‘rapid reverse’ and go back to medieval times and credit monks with some major medical advances.”
It was during the 1980’s that a survey team led by Dr Brian Moffat began to investigate the hospital’s long-forgotten history. Most of the stone from the site had long since disappeared but Moffat was more interested in the content of the hospital drains and what lay buried in the clay-based soil.
The Augustinian’s meticulous record keeping has greatly helped Moffat in his research. A range of catalogues advised on diagnosis, surgical procedures and the use of plants and herbs, while another sections dealt with childbirth and more common problems.
We know that blood-letting was customary and physicians would draw three to four pints of blood, “To clear the mind.” This process was repeated seven to ten times a year. “Based on the number of residents and visitors it gives us a figure of around 300,000 pints of blood over the course of the hospital’s lifetime.” said Moffat. This stinking material (now solid) still lies in the soil on Soutra Hill.
Although a number of surgical procedures, that included dentistry and amputations, were revealed, Soutra’s medical system was based mainly on animal and mineral components. Over 300 plant species have been identified as specific to the Soutra massif.
Black Henbane Hemlock Opium
Unusual combinations of seed, pollen and plant fragments were found. It seems the monks were prepared to use certain herbs known to be poisonous, such as black henbane, hemlock and opium poppy.
Seeds of these plants, found in a cache, but never found growing together, and all deadly in there own right were combined in an ointment or prepared as a drink and used as anaesthesia
Traces of opium and lard believed to be an analgesic ointment were used to cover open wounds after surgery. Human remains found on site are testament to this practice.
In further evidence of the monk’s ‘expertise’ the discovery of the remains of stillborn babies and the unearthing of ergot fungus and juniper berries prompted Moffat to say, “It was impossible not to link them.”
One of the most exciting finds, that may have practical uses today, were tubers of the Bitter Vetch plant. Moffat states that, “ These tiny tubers which have a leathery liquorice taste were chewed to make people forget to eat or drink for weeks, sometimes months." In times of war and crop failures Bitter Vetch was an essential part of everyday living.
Concluding his own report Dr Brian Moffat said, “They knew more about plants than anyone alive today. It was the best medicine you could buy in the Middle Ages.”
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