48/129
[ stop the slideshow ]

A medieval method of combating the plague. The persecution of the anointers in Milan in 1630

A medieval method of combating the plague. The persecution of the anointers in Milan in 1630.jpg KeplerThumbnailsA cutaway drawing of the original MayflowerKeplerThumbnailsA cutaway drawing of the original MayflowerKeplerThumbnailsA cutaway drawing of the original MayflowerKeplerThumbnailsA cutaway drawing of the original MayflowerKeplerThumbnailsA cutaway drawing of the original MayflowerKeplerThumbnailsA cutaway drawing of the original Mayflower

In Milan the visitation of 1630 was credited to the so-called anointers,—men who were supposed to spread the plague by anointing the walls with magic ointment—and the most horrible tortures that human ingenuity could devise were imposed on scores of victims, regardless of `rank` or of public service. Manzoni's great historical novel, "The Betrothed" has well pictured conditions in Italy during this period.