[The medical situation in Bergen during the late medieval period described in the diary of Absalon Pederssøn in 1552-1572].

First-hand information on Norwegian medical matters in the late Middle Ages is very scarce. Occasional brief information of medical interest may be found in private letters and in more systematic general records. However, a unique and particularly interesting document from this period is Master Absalon Pederssøn's diary. The diary covers a twenty-year period of the history of Bergen from the middle of the 16th century, and is characterized by its detailed information, also on matters of medical interest. Absalon was a well-educated man who without doubt had considerable medical insight. The events he describes have been personally experienced and analysed. He has seen the sick and describes the symptoms, and today, the information he provides allows us to draw conclusions about the nature of the diseases. Absalon's diary therefore provides interesting insight into medical matters in Bergen at that time and knowledge on diseases and what was known about them, causes of death, barber surgeons and hospitals.