RYDA Newsletter 01/2026
It was while sitting at home with my foot in a special boot that I wondered what happened years ago. How has medicine and surgery evolved?. Not long ago I would have been in plaster, and a few years before that would have to “have just on with it – its old age”! (I’m not sure how far I can go with this subject, but lets have a look).
Religious beliefs and superstitions
In medieval England (c.1250 - c.1500), people did not generally use science to understand medical conditions. England had a very religious society. As a result, religious beliefs and superstition were used to explain, diagnose and decide on treatments for illness.
The Church played a dual role in medieval medicine: it provided essential care through hospitals run by religious orders but also slowed medical progress by emphasizing supernatural explanations for disease and controlling medical education. While monasteries offered free care, comfort, and basic hygiene, the Church taught that illness was often a divine punishment and promoted prayer over scientific discovery, even banning procedures like dissection, which hindered the development of medical understanding
Alongside religion, traditional beliefs were used to help diagnose disease and illness. One method of doing this was to use astrology - the study of the planets and stars. A physician would use a star chart. He would look at when a patient had been born and when they had become ill to decide what illness or disease they had.
The Medieval period was famous for disgusting diseases, & strange superstitions. This was a time of clergymen and witch doctors, chipping in with stupid ideas.
But, to understand this period, we need to go back even further…... Hippocrates...The father of modern medicine.
He said that if any of the four humours were out of balance you'd become ill. To bring them back into balance he suggested purging, or even bleeding.
But some of Hippocrates' ideas have stood the test of time and are still used today, nearly 2,500 years later. Like the Hippocratic Oath, which says doctors must do their patients no harm...or at least not intentionally.
Unlike other doctors of the time, who prayed to the gods for help, he believed in careful observation, and bodily treatments. Hippocrates thought that to treat people effectively we must first try to understand how the human body worked... He invented the theory of 'The Four Humours' which hypothesised that the body contained four substances: Black Bile, Yellow Bile, Blood, and Phlegm.
Another. physician, was Claudius Galen. Galen lived in Rome, and made many major breakthroughs in anatomy. It also involved loads of cutting up animals like pigs, apes, and even some humans. Galen's influence and discoveries, such as that arteries carry blood, remained hugely influential and unchallenged for almost fifteen centuries after his death.
Fast forward a few hundred years, and things got dark. The Roman Empire split in two. War broke out across the whole of Europe; death and destruction was rife. And people were suffering. They needed hope from a higher place; and so a supernatural approach to medicine reared its head once again.
The muddled madness of the supernatural Dark Ages soon gave way to The Middle Ages. But medicine didn't get much better.
By now, the Church held a tight grip over medical ideas, and preached that sickness was divine punishment for sin. The Church did allow dissection, but the results would have to support the old ideas of Galen. Galen's theories suited the Church's notion of there being only one god, who created humans and their body parts. for a purpose.
Doctors' treatments were still based on Hippocrates' 'Four Humours,' and with most people not being able to afford them anyway,...they turned instead to apothecaries, monks, and wise-men, who had not much medical knowledge. People were sick...getting sicker, or died.
The monarchy didn't want to get involved because they thought public health was beneath them. So people continued to be treated by untrained surgeons who, if you were lucky, may have picked up a few tips on the battlefield; or who, if you were unlucky, a barber.
Then came The Black Death. One of the biggest pandemics in history, it wiped out 40% of Britain's population. Thanks to over-crowding, poor living conditions, and terrible public health, the Black Death spread rapidly and was near impossible to control.
The disease caused violent fever, oozing sores, and swollen armpits. At the time, no-one had a clue what caused it. Most people believed it was a curse from God. And started praying like mad. Some doctors advised not to overeat or overdrink. Others recommended simply chanting spells, or lighting candles to ward off evil spirits.
Some people even used shaved chickens to try and cure themselves. And you can just imagine how effective rubbing raw chicken into an open, gaping wound was, can't you!
The use of astrology to diagnose illness and disease became more popular after the Black Death.
Long before the modern deluge of organic soaps, herbal remedies, juice cleanses, and lifestyle brands, the mindful crowd had a medieval-era source for all-natural panaceas: the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. Roughly translated as the “Perfume-Pharmaceutical Workshop of New Saint Mary’s Church,” this world-renowned cosmetics and pharmaceutical company began its illustrious life as a community health clinic at a 13th-century Florentine monastery.
Established in 1221 on the outskirts of Florence, Italy, the Santa Maria Novella monastery was originally built alongside a small 9th-century church known as Santa Maria delle Vigne, or Saint Mary of the Vineyards, whose name evoked the site’s farmland setting just outside the city’s medieval walls. To soothe sickly parishioners an inventive group of friars began developing recipes for plant-based salves, tinctures, and perfumes designed to combat various ailments, from pregnancy to the plague. The friars’ earliest concoctions relied heavily on alchemy, a blending of scientific techniques with mystic and spiritual traditions.
So we finish these 450 medieval years almost where we started: Galen's influence still overshadowed medical thought; people believed superstitions and prayer could cure all; medicine was strangled by the over-reaching arms of the Church; barbers were moonlighting as surgeons; Monks mixing herbal concoctions & doctors were flying the flag for Hippocrates.
(BBC)
How we can all prevent illness
There are small things we can all do to protect ourselves, our families and others from illnesses that can spread in our communities.
Practice good hygiene
Good hygiene is one of the most effective ways to stop germs. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating or preparing food, after using the toilet, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Hand gels don’t kill all germs, including norovirus, so they’re not a substitute for proper handwashing.
Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, phones, and kitchen counters to prevent germs from spreading. When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow, dispose of tissues immediately, and wash your hands.
Stay home when you’re unwell
If you feel unwell, stay at home where possible and avoid work, school, nursery, and social gatherings. A fever can indicate infection, so remain at home until it has gone. If you have diarrhoea or sickness, stay home for 48 hours after your last symptoms. This can really help stop germs from spreading to others.
Keep vaccinations up to date
Vaccines protect you and those around you from serious illnesses and are offered throughout life. If you’re unsure whether you or your family have missed any, check the NHS website, look in your child’s red book, or speak to your GP.
Your help is needed
The WI is archiving its photographs through the ages. We need your help to identify people in the photos.
They are not all WI ladies, lots of gentlemen and children too.
If you have been in the village for a while, or have had family here, and can help, then go to https://www.thewi.online/archive and scroll through the years of village life and the WI since 1921.
In particular we need help for the pages for the 1982 St Peter's Centenary (who is the knicker flasher?- did that get you attention?
Names of anyone welcome); 1997 Queens Jubilee; 1986 Unknown Event (do you know what it was); 1966 May Fair; 1995 VE Day celebrations; St Francis Play school (do you know the year?) any of the pantomimes & the 2012 Knit-a-thon Photos of the villagers.
This is an on-going project throughout the winter, so the web site will be continually changing.
If you can add any names please contact Lesley Dempsey lesleyswp@live.co.uk stating the document name and photo number (or description).
Many thanks Lesley.
Did you know volunteering is good for your health, significantly boosting mental well-being by reducing stress, depression, and anxiety, while also providing physical benefits like lower blood pressure and reduced mortality risk, thanks to the release of "happy hormones," increased social connection, purpose, and physical activity. It fosters happiness, boosts self-esteem, provides a sense of purpose, keeps the mind active, and helps you meet new people, creating a win-win for the community and your own health.
Why not volunteer at a lunch club, exercise class, or play school for example, or join a club.
There is the Men’s shed in Yealmpton for a natter over coffee, and repairs; The Yacht club for boat folk; Bridge for those wanting to play cards, The U3A has a various program, Holy Cross has regular Tuesday morning coffee & cake, Yoga, Seated exercise class; and the WI in Newton Ferrers for ladies who want to learn, make friends, and enjoy community spirit. We have plenty of room for new members and welcomed 12 in 2025.We have interesting talks once a month, a coffee afternoon to shorten the winter months, Visits out, Book Club; Craft Group; skittles group, and hopefully in 2026 Line dancing. (watch this space). Your first 3 visits are free, while you decide if you wish to join us.
This item was in the “Private Nose” (do you remember that newsletter? This is from 24th February 2012. It seems nothing changes!
Planning
Significant Planning Applications this month:
Horsewells, Parsonage Road: Application for Change of Use from Agricultural to Equestrian Purposes. For more detail see link: 3006/25/FUL
Located outside the Settlement Boundary, the proposal involves converting agricultural land into an equestrian facility, including a stable yard, turn-out area, paddocks, horse shelter, storage barn, 6m concrete apron and associated works, intended exclusively for private use. While construction may be brief, it is noted that the relatively narrow access route for construction vehicles could potentially result in temporary disturbance to neighbouring properties and will need to be carefully managed.
The River Room, 1 The Point, Passage Road, Noss Mayo. For more detail see link: 3436/25/CLE
This is an unusual application seeking a Lawful Development Certificate to confirm the principal use of an existing annexe as separate short-term holiday let accommodation and subsidiary ancillary habitable accommodation with associated building operations is lawful. SHDC will need to establish evidence to either support or refute the claim that the land and building has been used for the purpose described in excess of the last ten years. You may remember the location being operated as a “Tea Room” (for which there is Planning Approval), if you have any information regarding use as holiday accommodation then South Hams District Council would be interested, see link above. (note comments received after 23/12/25 may not be considered).
Whats On?
6th January First Tuesday Lunch club WIC hall new members welcome.. 12.00 prompt please £6pp 2 courses plus coffee. Allergies can be catered for. Please contact Jeanne (872442); Jane (872627) or Tracie (872612).
10th January Holbeton Film club are showing Mr Burton. Film biopic about the power of an inspirational teacher and how talent can sometimes transcend the circumstances in which it is found.
Doors open at 7pm. You'll be given a warm welcome when you arrive and can spend some time chatting to friends before the lights go down at 7:30pm. We charge just £4 (£2 for children under 12) - terrific value for such a great evening of entertainment.
13thJanuary WI Winter coffee & Chat 2.00pm WIC hall
14th January WI Skittles for fun at Westward Inn 12.00 come along for a laugh and lunch.
20th January 2.00pm WI meeting our speakers are from Wembury Bay Marine Centre.
All ladies welcome. Your 1st 3 visits are free.
22nd January 4th Thursday Lunch Club 12.15 £6 pp. Newton & Noss village Hall. 2 courses plus coffee. Please contact mrandmrsbarnett@gmail.com Allergies and vegetarians can be catered for, also vegetarian option available. New members welcome.
Save the Date
3rd February coffee & chat Holy Cross 10.30
3rd February 1st Tuesday lunch club 12.00
12th February Parish Council Meeting N&N village hall 7.00pm
17th February coffee & chat Holy Cross 10.30
20th February Holbeton Film Club Downton Abbey. Holbeton village hall 7.00
20th February DFPY concert “Girls night out “ Yealmpton Methodist Church 7.30
21st February Divertimento String Quartet Holy Cross 3.00pm £20
26th February Thursday lunch club N&N village hall 12.15
