Free medical care from the medieval Abbess who composed music, rebuked rulers, saw visions and wrote many books: In the Middle Ages, convents were places where anyone might seek free health care. In this book Hildegard, Abbess of convents at Rupertsberg and Elbingen in the 12th century, explained their herbal remedies and medical procedures. Similarly, Galileo’s eldest daughter, Sister Maria Celeste, served the health care needs of others in her Convent of San Matteo in Arcetri and frequently offered her father medical advice and healing herbs.