Medieval doctors sometimes used the alignment of stars and planets to inform the timing of their treatments. What was this called?

• A. Astronomy
• B. Astrology
• C. Alchemy
• D. Numerology

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that medieval physicians often believed that the heavens could influence human health and the timing of medical actions. Using the alignment of stars and planets to decide when to treat a patient is astrology, specifically a form called medical astrology. It wasn’t about naming astronomical objects or studying their motions scientifically; it was the idea that cosmic arrangements could guide when to bleed, purify, or administer remedies.

This differs from astronomy, which is the science of observing and understanding celestial bodies. Alchemy is about transforming substances and seeking magical purification or transmutation, and numerology is about numbers having mystical significance. So the practice of timing medical interventions based on celestial positions fits astrology, not the other fields.