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About This Quiz
Medieval doctors, also known as plague doctors, are widely remembered for the gruesome and painful procedures they performed on sickly patients. Do you have what it takes to heal the dying using seemingly barbaric methods? Play on to find out!
Are you afraid of leeches?
As long as they aren't physically attached to my body, it's all good.
No, they provide plenty of health benefits.
Yes, they're creepy and gross, and I'd imagine painful.
As long as they're handled properly, leeches are harmless.
What do you know about the ancient art of bloodletting?
Nothing.
I know it was used ineffectively to treat a variety of diseases.
I have experience in it and learned about it.
It has something to do with leeches.
Are you religious?
Nope, not even a little.
Kinda, but I'm not an active practicer.
Yes, it's an important part of my life.
Yes, it plays a huge role in my life.
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What do you believe to be the cause of common illnesses and diseases?
Sin and personal faults.
Bacteria.
Conspiracies by ruling bodies.
Chance.
Do you know much about herbs?
Very little.
I know they're in some foods and natural supplements.
I know some can be used for healing.
I have some experience working with and/or learning about herbs.
Are you squeamish?
Nothing ruffles my feathers.
Not unless I'm being reminded of my own mortality.
About certain things, but nothing I can't get past if needed.
Yes.
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Do you think you could stomach slowly hand-drilling a hole into someone's skull to release evil spirits supposedly residing there?
Not a chance, that sounds awful.
Maybe if I had some help, but I might faint.
I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
Probably, if I was convinced it would help.
What would you prescribe for a headache?
A good, old-fashion skull drilling.
Rest and water, and maybe a change in diet.
Some hot stones placed on the forehead.
Nothing - everyone gets headaches on occasion.
What about a stomach ache?
Some hot stones should do the trick.
Fasting and bloodletting from the abdominal area.
i'd attempt to open them up and look inside for the issue.
A change in diet.
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How would you handle kidney stones?
With a mixture of honey and dung of a rare beast.
By applying intense heat to the kidneys.
With an invasive procedure.
I'd suggest rest and allowing them to pass on their own.
What do you know of the "Black Death" (1347-1350)?
Not much.
It was a plague that killed 2/3rds of England's population.
Bloodletting and sweating were used to treat it.
I know it involved vomiting black fluids.
How would you treat yellow bile in a sickly patient?
I'd recommend a quick purge.
That would mean an imbalance in their fire humours needed to be corrected.
It depends on the source of the yellow bile.
Probably with bloodletting, like usual.
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Would you ever recommend a patient purge - vomit - to rid themselves of an illness?
Sure, why not? Couldn't hurt.
Absolutely.
Probably.
Most likely.
Do you have any homeopathic or apothecary experience?
Aside from brewing store-bought herbal tea, not really.
A bit. I've tried to move away from big pharma and toward natural medicines.
Not at all. I don't believe in that mumbo jumbo.
Yes, I've studied it some.
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Would you be willing to work with village wise women, barbers, and apothecaries?
Probably not, that seems like a lot of personalities to deal with.
If they'd be willing to work with me, I'd work with them.
Yes, I'm sure we could learn a lot from and help each other.
I'd only be willing to work with reputable, educated, medicinal professionals.
Are you interested in astrology?
No, it's pretty boring.
I'm not even sure what astrology is.
Sure, it's kinda interesting.
Yes, I take it seriously.
Do you think you could learn how to diagnose an illness through smelling your patients' urine for imbalances?
Sure, I could learn, but would I be willing? Probably not.
Yeah, how hard could it be?
That doesn't sound like an easy skill to master.
Definitely, I have an acute sense of smell.
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How would you treat leprosy?
With a combination of bloodletting, sweating, purging, and hot stones.
I wouldn't - I would get far away from that highly contagious disease.
There's not much to be done, so I'd make the patient comfortable.
I'd drain as much of the imbalanced fluids as possible.
What's your current occupation?
I'm a student.
I'm unemployed.
I work "off the books."
Whatever pays the bills.
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Do you think induced sweating is a viable treatment option?
That sounds dangerous if not done properly, but I'd give it a shot.
I doubt it'd help much.
Yes, sweating has many purposes.
For certain ailments, yes, but it's usually not enough.
Would you be able to handle losing more patients than you save?
I'd be haunted by the losses.
It wouldn't be easy, but I think I could pull through.
The saved lives are the ones that matter.
Yes, I'm interested in the medicine.
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Are you interested in numerology?
I only know the basics.
I'm not sure what that is.
It has it's uses.
Yes, it's something I look into and research.
How would you treat hemorrhoids?
Cut them out and suture the wounds.
Burn them closed with hot irons.
Apply an calming salve.
Tell the patient to spend less time on the toilet and change their diet.
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How do you feel about paganism?
I don't understand it or know much about it.
To each their own.
I can get behind it.
It's against my beliefs.
Do you have any experience in the butcher or hunting profession?
No, but I trim the fat off the meats I buy.
I'm a vegetarian/vegan, so definitely not.
I've worked at a restaurant/behind a deli counter.
Yes.
Would you be willing to expose yourself to deadly diseases to treat your patients?
It depends on the likelihood of the disease being transmitted.
Probably not.
Yes, in the name of medicine.
It depends on how much I'd be getting paid.
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