Jews, medicine, and medieval society

Between 1250-1450 the utilization of medical doctors increased sharply in Mediterranean Europe. Although Jewish society before then did not have a tradition of producing physicians, Jews in this period undertook the study of medicine and became a major part of its practitioners. In the 15th century, when Europe was experiencing a decline in population and prosperity, Christian attitudes toward Jewish doctors worsened. This was reflected in preaching and in Church decrees against Christian use of Jewish physicians. Though this may have influenced some Christians to avoid Jewish doctors, the attack was not massive and they continued to practice their profession. (From the Bibliography of the Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism - The Hebrew University of Jerusalem)