In the old days, why did people put raw meat over a bruise? Is it just to cool it?

Question

A few books I have read about medieval times suggest putting raw meat (generallt red meat) over a bruise to help it heal. It is generally on the face. I was wondering whether there was a scientific reason or whether it was just to reduce the swelling as they didn't have frozen peas in those days. Something to do with zinc or iron in the meat perhaps? It's just I thought they salted meat to preserve it as they had no cooling devices.

Answer 1

You are correct, they had no cooling devices such as frozen peas. But it wasn't the cooling effect of the raw meat that was valuable. It was believed that the raw meat would act as a poultice and 'draw out' the inflammation and excess blood in the bruise.
It must have worked to some degree because it was part of folk medicine for hundreds of years and even today, many boxers use a slab of beef to clear up a black eye.

Answer 2

Sa far as I know it was there euivalent of putting ice over a bruise like we do today.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

raw meat has a lot of juices that help heal the body, frozen peas don't do you any good there

Answer 5

summin 2 do wiv the juice from the meat

Answer 6

they used it cuz it's so cold it actually keeps tissue down so it don't swell

Answer 7

to keep swelling down

Answer 8

I think so