Avoiding The Plague: Medical Advice from the 14th Century.

Years ago I added a book to my medical library entitled Hecker’s Epidemics of the Middle Ages.  Published in 1843, the pages are yellow and fragile, but the COVID-19 Epidemic spurred me to open it up and peruse the contents for lessons relevant to today’s events.  Among the more fascinating topics is a section on physician recommendations for avoiding contagion.   The Black Death was a global epidemic of bubonic plague that ravaged the world of the Middle Ages, killing one third of all the people in Europe. In the 14th Century the esteemed medical faculty of Paris were commissioned to deliver their opinion to furnish recommendations to prevent its transmission.  This was before the knowledge of micro-organisms, and medical advice revolves around modifying the air and the diet, as well as personal activity, colonic cleansing and chastity. Here are some highlights: [K]indle a large fire of vine-wood, green laurel, or other green wood; wormwood and chamomile should also be burnt in great quantity in the marketplaces, in other densely inhabited localities, and in the houses. During this time the diet should be simple, and people should be cautious in avoiding exposure in the cool of the evening, at night, and in the morning. Poultry and water-fowl, young pork, old beef, and fat meat in general, should not be eaten. Sleep in the day-time is detrimental; it should be taken at night until sunrise, or somewhat longer.  Clear light wine, mixed with a fifth or sixth part of ...
Source: Jeffrey M. Levine MD | Geriatric Specialist | Wound Care | Pressure Ulcers - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Tags: Art & Medicine Featured Medical Articles Medical History Source Type: blogs