Editing Science and technology (section)

==Medicine==
: {{Main|Medicine}}

In [[Westeros]], medical treatments are most frequently given by the [[maester]]s of the [[Citadel]]. [[George R. R. Martin]] has stated that the medical knowledge of the maesters is more advanced than real-life medieval medical knowledge:

"''I've made a deliberate decision when the books began to have the maesters, and have Westeros in general, have better medical knowledge than the real-life Middle Ages. Mostly because I didn't want everybody dying at twenty-six. So it is generally improved, the maesters have improved the standard of hygiene, and they understand certain practices, and they can do things better.''"<ref>Youtube: [https://youtu.be/OMvFNaqSWEo?t=47m20s George R R Martin visiting SF-Bokhandeln] @ 47:20 minutes (published July 2nd, 2015)</ref>

The Westerosi healing arts include potions that dull pain (e.g., [[milk of the poppy]]{{Ref|agot|2}} or [[dreamwine]]{{Ref|acok|7}}) and potions that either prevent pregnancy or induce abortions (e.g., [[moon tea]]{{Ref|ASOS|80}}{{Ref|AFFC|11}}). Wounds are often cleaned with boiling wine{{Ref|acok|67}}{{Ref|ASOS|31}} or treated with [[Myr]]ish fire{{Ref|AGOT|32}} or firemilk,{{Ref|agot|66}} while maggots may be used to eat out rotten parts. Maesters have learned to stitch wounds closed{{Ref|acok|67}} and how to use poultices to prevent infection.{{Ref|ASOS|31}}

While the nobles have access to maesters, commoners usually do not. They instead rely on traveling barbers, local healers,{{fact}} midwives,{{fact}} hedge wizards,{{Ref|AFFC|38}} or woods witches.{{Ref|ASOS|15}}{{ref|Asos|41}}, and their own knowledge of [[herb]]s.{{Ref|ACOK|19}}{{Ref|AFFC|0}}

The [[Dothraki]] [[khalasar]]s employ two types of healers: barren women who practice their healing with herbs, potions, and spells, and eunuch slaves, who use knives, needles, and fire.{{Ref|AGOT|61}}

In the [[Free Cities|Free City]] of [[Braavos]], healers for hire can be found at the [[House of the Red Hands]].{{Ref|AFFC|26}}{{Ref|AFFC|34}}