[MR] BBC: Monks with Worms

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

Today the BBC reports on an interesting study showing that medieval monks,
Augustinian friars at Cambridge at least, were infested with worms and
other intestinal parasites.

Traces on skeletons excavated from a 13th century monastic cemetery show
the monks carried hefty roundworm and whipworm loads. Comparison with
skeletons from a nearby lay cemetery suggest the monks were twice as likely
to be infested as their non-monastic neighbors.

Monks generally enjoyed somewhat more enlightened health care than city
folk, and most monasteries had toilet blocks that were flushed with running
water. The suggested cause for the parasites is that the monks used their
own poop to fertilize their gardens, thus constantly reinfecting themselves
(they were likely quite anemic as well). In contrast, poo in towns was
collected into cesspits for disposal elsewhere.

The story is at https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-62587662
.

Yours Aye,


Lord Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆