Chapter Summary pgs 673 - 684

One of the major differences to impact the rich and poor were diets. Because the poor could not afford meat, they had to rely on bran in bread to provide them with protein. However, deficiencies in Vitamin C caused scurvy in many people. The rich, however, gorged themselves on meat, candy, and spirits. They were overfed and under exercised and often suffered from Gout. Though medicine did not play a significant role in society, the slow emergence of doctors began during this time. Early, strange practices for dealing with nutrition problems also arose, such as Purging.
Surgeons also began to rise, especially on the medieval battlefield. However, without anesthetics surgery was a very dreadful procedure to undergo. Even the simplest treatments, due to the poor hygiene and procedures, could cause the patient to die of infection or blood loss. Patients were not separated, and fresh air was viewed as a bad thing. Conditions were so bad that many viewed them as a plot at population control.
Despite the rampant spread of Enlightened thinking, many people still remained loyal to the Catholic church. However, many educated elites began to attack and denounce religious practices as unreasonable, foolish, and superstitious. Despite these attacks, religion was tightly woven into the fabric of community life. Protestants were also extremely active at this time, trying to reclaim the core values of Christianity.