Edward Jorden facts for kids

Edward Jorden (born 1569, died 1633) was an English doctor and scientist. He is known for his work on understanding illnesses and for studying mineral waters.

Edward Jorden's Life

Edward Jorden was born in a place called High Halden in Kent, England. We know he studied medicine in Italy. He traveled a lot and went to classes at several universities, like Padua, Bologna, Ferrara, and Venice. He earned his medical degree from the University of Padua in 1591.

After his studies, Jorden became a licensed doctor in England in 1595. He became a full member of the Royal College of Physicians in 1597. He worked as a doctor in London from 1596 to 1600. Later, he moved to Bath, where he continued to practice medicine until he passed away in 1633. He was buried in the Abbey Church in Bath.

A Medical Review

In 1595, Edward Jorden had a disagreement with another medical professional, an apothecary, about how to treat a patient. A special medical meeting was held to review the case. The judge partly agreed with Jorden. However, Jorden was asked to study important medical books by an ancient Greek doctor named Galen. He had to show he understood these books.

When he was tested again in November 1595, he did very well. Because of his excellent knowledge, he was allowed to continue practicing medicine.

Understanding Illnesses: Hysteria

Edward Jorden wrote an important book in 1603 called A Briefe Discourse of a Disease Called the Suffocation of the Mother. This was the first book in English about a condition he called "hysteria."

Challenging Beliefs About Witchcraft

During Jorden's time, many people believed that some illnesses were caused by witchcraft. But Edward Jorden had a different idea. He was the first English doctor to suggest that women accused of witchcraft might actually be suffering from a medical condition. He believed there were natural reasons for their problems, not magic.

Jorden often spoke as an expert in court trials where women were accused of being witches. He tried to explain that their symptoms were due to illness. However, his arguments did not always convince the judges. For example, a woman named Elizabeth Jackson was found guilty of witchcraft, even though Jorden defended her.

What Jorden Called "Hysteria"

Jorden used two terms for the condition he saw in many of these women: "hysterical" and "strangulatus uteri." The second term meant "suffocation of the mother." Here, "mother" was an old word for the uterus, which is part of a woman's body. He used this term because a feeling of choking in the throat was a common symptom.

Jorden noticed that the symptoms of this condition could change a lot. People might have shortness of breath, a fast heartbeat, or even temporary paralysis. These "fits" could happen at different times, like once a year, once a month, or even every week. His work helped people start to think about these conditions as medical problems rather than something supernatural.