Dolegliwości zdrowotne członków zakonu krzyżackiego w XIV–XV w.
Health problems of members of the Teutonic Order in the 14th and 15th centuries

Summary/Abstract: Medieval written sources from the 14th and 15th centuries and anthropological studies of bones discovered in the “northern” crypt of the Kwidzyn cathedral allowed the researchers to distinguish three types of health problems that members of the Teutonic Order probably struggled with. Injuries and trauma of lower and/or upper limbs were sustained during the fights or ac- cidents. These led to fractures, gunshot wounds or damage to knee ligaments. The 14th century narrative records mention even mental disorders that could be conditioned by several diseases. More or less serious infectious diseases, such as colds, gastric problems, dysentery, plague and possibly rabies, were spreading among the Teutonic Knights. The last type of health problems highlighted in the article are chronic diseases. The Teutonic Knights struggled with, for in- stance, degenerative changes, dental defects, kidney stones and problems with proper vision.

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