This story sent me down a late night research rabbit hole wondering how quarantines were enforced during the Black Death. A lot of it is still the same five centuries later.
Thread
itv.com/news/anglia/20…
Thread
itv.com/news/anglia/20…
In Damascus at the start of the 8th century the Arab world had already come up with an embryonic form of hospital.
They then had the good sense to build entirely separate units for the treatment of leprosy.
They then had the good sense to build entirely separate units for the treatment of leprosy.
14th century Venetians isolated sailors on an island in the lagoon.
They hit on thirty days to see if they displayed symptoms, but then upped it to the more biblically pleasing 40 days.
40-> quarant-> Quarantine
They hit on thirty days to see if they displayed symptoms, but then upped it to the more biblically pleasing 40 days.
40-> quarant-> Quarantine
In 16th century England only one uninfected person was allowed out of the house, in order to buy provisions.
To mark their good health they were meant to carry a white rod, which if they forgot would incur a fine or even imprisonment.
To mark their good health they were meant to carry a white rod, which if they forgot would incur a fine or even imprisonment.
17th century France had the strictest form of Lockdown. On an appointed day, having gathered provisions, everyone handed over their house key to a ‘Syndic’ who locked them in and handed over the key to his boss, the ‘intendant’.
Throughout lockdown the Syndic would take a roll call on each street. Family members had to stand in the window for headcount. If they were too sick, or dead, to stand that household’s quarantine was extended.
Some of the most important people were the “crows”. People of humble origin assigned to removing and burying the dead, as well as cleaning. Essential Workers basically, but completely overlooked.
