One in three people during the medieval period died from the Black Death. This was due to ignorance of medicinal science during the medieval period. The practice of medicine during the medieval period was influenced primarily by religion, superstition, and misguided practices. The medieval period began around 500 AD and ended around 1500 AD It took place mainly in Western Europe. (Medieval Medicine and the Plague, 4) Some of the knowledge used by men of the medieval period was passed down by the Greeks and Romans. However, not all of this knowledge was true. The Greeks and Romans transmitted the idea of ​​the four humors to the doctors of the medieval period (Medicine in the Middle Ages). Some of these ideas of the Greeks and Romans were incorrect as they would not dissect bodies. Even doctors and scholars of the medieval period did not dissect bodies. This was because it was considered cruel to treat a body that way. However, when they began dissecting in the early 1300s, they gained a better understanding of internal organs. (Medieval Medicine and Plague, 20) Religion was one of the most powerful influences on medieval medicine. People of the medieval period thought that illness was a punishment or a test of faith. Their way of treating this disease was to pray and help the poor (Medieval Medicine and the Plague, 12). Some even flog themselves in hopes of gaining forgiveness (The Usborne Internet-Linked Medieval World). The saints held great power. They were thought to be able to perform miracles and cure the sick. People would start venerating saints. They even went on pilgrimages to the shrines of saints to ask for help for their loved ones. The Church, of course, did not discourage him. (On......half of the document......stition, tradition, knowledge of plants and knowledge passed down by the ancient Greeks and Romans." (Rachel Bellerby) After the Middle Ages, science and medicine took great strides forward and began to lead us to our very advanced medicine that we now use to our advantage Works Cited Bellerby, Rachel Medicine in the Middle Ages, https://suite.io/rachel-bellerby/t9x204 June 9, 2008. March 18, 2014. Bingham, Jane. The Usborne Internet-Linked Medieval London: Usborne Publishing Ltd,, 2004.Graf, Rebecca Superstition and Medieval Medicine - History, http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art171247.asp .Medieval Medicine and the Plague New York: Crabtree Publishing Company, 2006.McDonald, Mr. The Role of Religion in Medieval Medicine 1, http://www.slideshare.net/history.brayton/the -in-medieval-medicine-1. May 5, 2009. March 18 2014.