13 



on the sick, it is directed to keep as far apart as may be from the bed- 

 side; to ventilate the sick rooms; to fumigate the house with burning 

 terebinth wood; to carry in the hand a firebrand, a pot of lighted 

 charcoal, or a sprig of rue, mint, sage, or myrtle; and to bathe the 

 body, morning and evening, with warm vinegar. Directions are 

 given to sprinkle the house with preparations of terebinth, juniper, 

 sandal, rose, rosemary, laurel, and similar herbs. The reader is 

 informed that walls, partitions, and all structures made of wood are 

 capable of preserving the contagion for more than a year, and that 

 their disease-bearing qualities should be corrected by washing, fumi- 

 gations, and fire; that garments of wool and similar stuffs, if not 

 exposed to the air and sun, fumigated often, and well washed, may 

 still contain contagion after three years. The statement is made that 

 the morbid principle can diffuse itself through division walls and 

 enter neighboring habitations. Caution is prescribed in moving ani- 

 mals, money, furniture, and bundles from place to place because of 

 the danger of conveying disease. 



FRACASTOEO AND SYPHILIS. 



Gerolamo Fracastoro is generally credited with being the author of 

 the theory of contagion, but, as has been seen from a review of the 

 works of previous writers, it can only be claimed for him that he 

 elaborated the theory, presented it in a popular form, and lent to the 

 idea the influence of his high authority. 



An important event at this period of history was the extensive prev- 

 alence of syphilis in Europe, a spread of the disease that gave it 

 every likeness to a general pestilence. The chroniclers of this occur- 

 rence were convinced that the disease could propagate itself at a dis- 

 tance, and that it could be communicated by intercourse not more inti- 

 mate than conversation and social commingling. The malady diffused 

 itself through all classes of society, and history names a king and 

 other potentates among the victims. In Italy the belief prevailed 

 that the disease had gained access to the country with the invading 

 army of Charles VIII, of France. The Italians called it the "morbo 

 Gallico." In France it took the name of the Neapolitan disease. 

 Wide credence was gained by another theory to the effect that the 

 malady had come in by sea with the naked savages of America. In 

 this case it must have spread and taken root very speedily, for it is 

 said that when Columbus went to Barcelona on his way to pay homage 

 to Ferdinand and Isabella, of Spain, syphilis flourished in that seaport; 

 public -prayers were being offered as in times of pest, and precautions 

 were being taken against the disease as in case of leprosy. 



Laws were made in France for the regulation of syphilis. By an 

 act of the Senate at Paris, dated March 6, 1496, persons affected with 



