Did they have doctors when the plague started?

Yes, doctors existed during the plague. The Black Death, one of the most devastating pandemics in human history, ravaged Europe from 1347 to 1351, killing an estimated 75 to 200 million people. During this time, there were indeed medical practitioners known as "doctors," "physicians," or "leeches" who attempted to treat the sick. However, their understanding of the plague and the methods they used were limited by the medical knowledge and scientific understanding of the era.

1. Physicians: Physicians were trained medical professionals who had studied medicine at universities or through an apprenticeship with an experienced doctor. They often held degrees such as the "Doctor of Medicine" (MD) or the "Doctor of Physic" (D.Phys.). Physicians were knowledgeable in the medical theories of the time, such as the theory of humors and the idea of contagion.

2. Barber-Surgeons: In addition to physicians, there were also barber-surgeons who provided medical services. While barbers primarily performed tasks like haircuts and shaving, they also offered surgical services, including lancing boils, setting fractures, and performing bloodletting. Barber-surgeons had a practical knowledge of anatomy and surgical procedures, but their formal medical training was often less extensive than that of physicians.

3. Folk Healers: Besides medical practitioners, there were also folk healers who relied on traditional knowledge, herbal remedies, and religious practices to treat the plague. These healers were not formally trained in medicine but had gained experience through local customs and cultural beliefs.

4. Treatment Methods: The treatments used during the plague varied and were based on the prevailing medical understanding of the time. Common practices included bloodletting, purging, and the use of herbal remedies believed to have curative or preventive properties. However, these methods were often ineffective against the plague.

5. Limited Knowledge: Despite the existence of doctors, the medical knowledge and technology available during the plague era were inadequate to effectively combat the disease. It wasn't until later centuries that advances in medical science, such as the germ theory and the development of vaccines, led to a better understanding and treatment of infectious diseases like the plague.