Jews, Medicine, and Medieval Society

Jews were excluded from most professions in medieval, predominantly Christian Europe. Bigotry was widespread, yet Jews were accepted as doctors and surgeons, administering not only to other Jews but to Christians as well. Why did medieval Christians suspend their fear and suspicion of the Jews, allowing them to inspect their bodies, and even, at times, to determine their survival? What was the nature of the doctor-patient relationship? Did the law protect Jewish doctors in disputes over care and treatment?

Joseph Shatzmiller explores these and other intriguing questions in the first full social history of the medieval Jewish doctor. Based on extensive archival research in Provence, Spain, and Italy, and a deep reading of the widely scattered literature, Shatzmiller examines the social and economic forces that allowed Jewish medical professionals to survive and thrive in thirteenth- and fourteenth-century Europe. His insights will prove fascinating to scholars and students of Judaica, medieval history, and the history of medicine.

About the author

Joseph Shatzmiller is Professor of History at the University of Toronto and author of Shylock Reconsidered: Jews, Moneylending and Medieval Society (California, 1990).

Summary

Jews were excluded from most professions in medieval, predominantly Christian Europe. Based on archival research in Provence, Spain, and Italy, and a reading of the scattered literature, this title examines the social and economic forces that allowed Jewish medical professionals to survive and thrive in thirteenth- and fourteenth-century Europe.

Product details

• Authors: Joseph Shatzmiller, Shatzmiller Joseph
• Publisher: University Of California Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 10.01.1995
• EAN: 9780520080591
• ISBN: 978-0-520-08059-1
• No. of pages: 241
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; General practice, HISTORY / World, HISTORY / Social History, Social & cultural history, HISTORY / Jewish, MEDICAL / Practice Management & Reimbursement, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Jewish Studies, General & world history, CE period up to c 1500, Jewish Studies, Social and cultural history, Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500, General and world history, General Practice / Family Medicine, Relating to Jewish people and groups, Social groups: religious groups and communities