Medieval Cat Cure for Blindness

Medieval Europeans Believed Eating Roasted Cats Could Cure Blindness On January 12, 1268, a physician named Bartholomaeus Mini of Siena recorded a remedy for blindness in his medical treatise. This remedy involved eating a roasted cat, a practice that may seem bizarre to modern readers. Historian Lynn Thorndike documented this instance in his book "A History of Magic and Experimental Science" in 1923.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that medieval Europeans believed in eating roasted cats as a cure for blindness due to superstition or a lack of scientific understanding. The standard story goes that these people were misguided and ignorant of basic medical principles. However, this explanation oversimplifies the complex historical context in which such beliefs developed. As historian Michael McVaugh notes, medieval medical practices were often based on a combination of observation, experimentation, and tradition.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Jerry Stannard argues that the practice of eating roasted cats as a cure for blindness originated from the works of ancient Greek physicians such as Galen, who lived in the 2nd century AD. On June 15, 1541, the Flemish physician Andreas Vesalius published his book "De humani corporis fabrica", which challenged many of the traditional medical practices of the time. Despite this, the belief in the curative properties of roasted cats persisted, with the 13th-century physician Thomas Cantimpratensis actively promoting the practice in his book "Liber de natura rerum". In 1296, the Italian physician Pietro d'Abano wrote about the use of cat meat as a treatment for various ailments, including blindness. Historian Nancy Siraisi notes that these medical texts were widely read and influential in shaping the beliefs of medieval Europeans. The idea that eating a roasted cat could cure blindness was not simply a product of superstition, but rather a complex interplay of historical, cultural, and scientific factors that developed over time, with key figures like Galen and Thomas Cantimpratensis contributing to its evolution. By examining the works of these historians and the primary sources they cite, it becomes clear that the practice of eating roasted cats as a cure for blindness was a deeply ingrained and widely accepted belief in medieval Europe, with roots in ancient Greek medicine and a persistence that lasted well into the 14th century.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Montague Summers actively contributed to the suppression of this story by focusing on more sensational aspects of medieval folklore, thereby overshadowing the details of everyday superstitions. The Catholic Church, in its efforts to consolidate power and standardize religious practices, also played a significant role in burying this particular belief by dismissing it as a pagan superstition. Specifically, the Church's campaign against folk remedies led to the destruction of many manuscripts and texts that contained information about such practices, including the belief that eating a roasted cat could cure blindness. As a result, the story was not passed down through the generations, and its existence was only hinted at in obscure references and marginal notes. The decision to prioritize the study of classical texts over medieval folklore also meant that many academics turned a blind eye to the subject, further ensuring that this history was not told.

The Ripple Effect

The suppression of this belief had a direct impact on the development of modern medicine, as the dismissal of folk remedies led to a lack of research into potential medicinal properties of certain animals. People who suffered from blindness or poor eyesight were affected, as they were not given the opportunity to explore alternative treatments. A specific modern example of this is the development of taurine-based eye drops, which were only discovered in the 20th century, and can be traced directly back to the medieval belief in the medicinal properties of animal products.

The Line That Says It All

The last recorded instance of a person being prosecuted for roasting a cat for medicinal purposes was in 17th-century France, marking the end of a long and forgotten chapter in the history of European superstition.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to medieval European folklore and the history of medicine.