Cutting and Self-Mutilation in the Middle Ages

I had a thought recently (insert joke about blondes, et cetera, if you wish…)

I’ve always been particularly interested in the middle ages, and it occurred to me that there was quite a bit of self-mutilation during that period.  Most was done in the name of religion, though blood letting was a common “medical” practice.

Nuns, monks, monarchs, aristrocrats and laypersons would fast, would self-flagellate, would make themselves endure physical and mental “challenges”.  And when they did, they were honored for their fortitude, not treated as psychologically warped humans.  The middle ages was truly a time when someone who had what we would today treat as a kind of mental disorder (e.g., eating disorder, depression) would be revered. 

So that led me to wonder whether humans as a race of beings are somehow pre-programmed to hurt themselves?  It seems that many members of every generation have had the inclination to harm itself in some way.  (Think about the women who wore corsets for centuries despite the known health hazards!)  Could the desire to control one’s eating simply be part and parcel of a genetic need to commit a self-hazardous act? 

Of course, I’m not suggesting that we currently revere those who harm themselves… or am I?

Consider the stars who become sticks and are treated like gods and goddesses…  And how about the rock legends who wow audiences with their stories of sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll? 

What in the world will future generations say about us?  And will our grandchildren and their grandchildren continues this cycle?