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

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, from the reference entitled Hecker’s Epidemics of the Middle Ages: [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 water, should be used as a beverage. The body should be kept warmer than usual, and thus protected. from moisture and cold. Good clear wine should be selected and drunk often, but in small quantities, by day. Olive oil as an article of food, is fatal. Equally injurious are fasting and excessive abstem...
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