Stephanie Prentice

Stefanie Zachrisson.

Stefanie Zachrisson.

Handwritten medical manuscripts, surgical diagrams and a brass rubbing of a plaque depicting a skeleton riddled with worms. Some of the items on display at the exhibition in Cambridge's University Library. The medical notes, mostly from the 14th or 15th centuries, have all been translated into modern English, part of a passion project for Dr James Freeman, the curator of the exhibition.

Handwritten medical manuscripts, surgical diagrams and a brass rubbing of a plaque depicting a skeleton riddled with worms. Some of the items on display at the exhibition in Cambridge's University Library. The medical notes, mostly from the 14th or 15th centuries, have all been translated into modern English, part of a passion project for Dr James Freeman, the curator of the exhibition.

One treatment suggests women can cure infertility by burning weasel testicles in a pot with wildflowers and placing the mixture in the cervix for three days.

One treatment suggests women can cure infertility by burning weasel testicles in a pot with wildflowers and placing the mixture in the cervix for three days.

Another one, a fruity homemade paste to treat lice on the body.

Another one, a fruity homemade paste to treat lice on the body.

But despite the curious concoctions described, the team at Cambridge say it actually wants to showcase how medieval people were reading, writing and learning and building up a bank of knowledge based on observation, rather than just trial and error.

But despite the curious concoctions described, the team at Cambridge say it actually wants to showcase how medieval people were reading, writing and learning and building up a bank of knowledge based on observation, rather than just trial and error.

It also highlights the role of astrology and magic in medieval medicine, as practitioners did things like tracking the moon when deciding when to let blood from their patients.

It also highlights the role of astrology and magic in medieval medicine, as practitioners did things like tracking the moon when deciding when to let blood from their patients.

While drinking words can probably be dismissed medically, Dr Freeman does stand behind one remedy that suggests dipping a man's testicles in a mix of cold water and vinegar to stop nosebleeds, saying he's tested and proved it.

While drinking words can probably be dismissed medically, Dr Freeman does stand behind one remedy that suggests dipping a man's testicles in a mix of cold water and vinegar to stop nosebleeds, saying he's tested and proved it.

From jumping in freezing lakes right after a sauna with friends... to going back to basics in nature. We've heard about the benefits of the Finnish culture for promoting mental well-being, but within those happy activities lies something else, difficulty. Alongside the 2025 happiness report, officials in Finland were quick to point out that one of the secrets to happiness is embracing sisu.

From jumping in freezing lakes right after a sauna with friends... to going back to basics in nature. We've heard about the benefits of the Finnish culture for promoting mental well-being, but within those happy activities lies something else, difficulty. Alongside the 2025 happiness report, officials in Finland were quick to point out that one of the secrets to happiness is embracing sisu.

From jumping in freezing lakes right after a sauna with friends... to going back to basics in nature. We've heard about the benefits of the Finnish culture for promoting mental well-being, but within those happy activities lies something else, difficulty. Alongside the 2025 happiness report, officials in Finland were quick to point out that one of the secrets to happiness is embracing sisu.

It's a word and a concept that doesn't translate, literally, but it's something we're told is important to every Finn. So we asked some of them to explain. Magnus Appelberg is a cold exposure enthusiast and teaches courses in Finland, encouraging foreigners to embrace Sisu.

It's a word and a concept that doesn't translate, literally, but it's something we're told is important to every Finn. So we asked some of them to explain. Magnus Appelberg is a cold exposure enthusiast and teaches courses in Finland, encouraging foreigners to embrace Sisu.

It's a word and a concept that doesn't translate, literally, but it's something we're told is important to every Finn. So we asked some of them to explain. Magnus Appelberg is a cold exposure enthusiast and teaches courses in Finland, encouraging foreigners to embrace Sisu.