Improvised arm break treatment in medieval ages

[pizzazzical]

Hello! I have multiple questions on this one scenario, I hope that's all right :)

Setting: I am writing a piece set in the "dark ages" around the time of Geoffrey of Monmouth and Arthurian legends. In the fandom canon knowledge and treatment of diseases and injuries is more advanced than it actually was at the time. For example there is knowledge of

Comments

[autumn_belias]

you need to differ a bit, your canon is anachronistic to start with since Arthur is roughly 5th century while Geoffrey wrote the story down in the 12th ;) one of the many sources of amusement in the show... and there are some icky medical differences, during Arthur's presumed reign they still moght have drawn tidbits from the Roman times while later... well not really.

when I was researching suturing I came upon Military Medicine in the Middle Ages and they do also say something on fractures, however I assume this is high middle ages rather than the timeframe you are looking for.

aside from that: the anachronisms are aplenty, enough that I'd say as long as you don't make it an open fracture he's gonna make it...but an open fracture will likely see him dead from infection, no matter if he makes it back home or not because while they certainly have moldy bread (and spectacles and glass beakers for heaven's sake) they won't have antibiotics, not even lost arthurian lore was that advanced ;)

while I appreciate things being played close to reality I suppose the fandom will be forgiving considering all the unlikely things happening in-show. your own satisfaction well *g* that's another matter.

[sollersuk]

In the 5th and 6th centuries Roman medicine was still functioning across the Channel, and there was a surprisingly large amount of contact. Indeed, Constantinople was still trading with Cornwall, and the Eastern Empire was still definitely going strong.

And I agree that there is a lot of wiggle room when using the series - but if the OP really is thinking in terms of Geoffrey of Monmouth, they're stuck with something very close to real life middle ages.

[pizzazzical]

Hi, thanks a lot about the information! I think I will make it a closed fracture in the end because it gives him the better chance of survival. Also in the show the character of Geoffrey of Monmouth is alive and they base a lot of details on his version of the story, however, it is still pretty unclear what exact time period it is. But anyway thanks a lot for your help, it was really useful!

[autumn_belias]

yes and the building style doesn't fit 5th century and they have glassware and stuff. I'm aware of canon in this one and that's why I said you needed to differ a little and medically speaking you might want to decide on something. on the other hand, and that someone pointed out to me when I was trying to find a timeframe for myself, there is bound to have been more than one Geoffrey born in Monmouth, the fact that we just know of one who was historically inclined means nothing at all. just a sidenote.
if you put it in 12th century the arm probably won't heal up properly lines up. and considering that will be his right arm....

and as for your post further up, the wound itself wasn't closed magically (unless that was done after, out of canon) but the poison was neutralized, else he would never let himself wear the sling in the prat scene. (forced healing of natural wounds is bound to cause some problems, imho but that is JUST my opinion ;)) I'd not be worried about infection with that wound either though, it was taken care of properly it seemed.

I'm not sure how far advanced canon would be on fractures, it's part of your decision on when to base the story. his chances are better in 5th century than in 12th, as was pointed out before and mobility is more the issue than strength. I guess the post by azalea would be a good pointer there (the question as to the passing out is a good one too).

man and I thought I was done researching medieval practise and Arthurian lore for a while now *chuckle*

[pizzazzical]

Oh okay, sorry about the magical wound mix-up. Lol I just thought he wore the sling because his muscles were sore. xD This may be a supremely stupid question but why would his chances be better in the 12th century? Unless you are referring to the fact that the middle-eastern people knew a lot more about medicine than the Europeans? *feels stupid*

Anyway thanks a lot for your help :D About the fainting, since I was leaning towards a compound break earlier then the fainting due to pain seemed more realistic in that situation. But I agree that it is less likely if he is to suffer a closed fracture.

And sorry about making you do more Arthurian research xD

[autumn_belias]

uh where did I say his chances would be better in the 12th? I said better in the 12th and in the 12th the bone probably won't heal up properly. unless i completely mistyped in which case i retract ;D

and 's fine, I usually keep all my research on all subjects. always useful for something.

[autumn_belias]

OP said it was in the time of Geoffrey and Arthur so I just wanted to point out that there is a huge difference. 's all ^^

I didn't know that Constantinople was still trading with Cornwall, learned something new, thanks :)