How doctors spread the bubonic plague

[Hugh Johnson]

Learn about the other pandemic that also turned into a diabolical grift

Turns out "the pandemic" isn't the first time widespread corruption was documented around a pandemic.

rudd-o.com

 

[Peater]

And THAT is how you deal with medical malfeasance...

 

[Don]

View attachment 37019

Learn about the other pandemic that also turned into a diabolical grift

Turns out "the pandemic" isn't the first time widespread corruption was documented around a pandemic.

rudd-o.com

WOW thanks for posting this. Fascinating and damn scary.

 

[miquelangeles]

Another text from 1687 (The History of the City and State of Geneva) with more details:

1530 - Caddoz spreads a Plague in Geneva

In the year following, the Plague raging in Geneva, there was one Michael Caddoz, who pretending to be struck with it, desired to be put into the Hospital. Which being granted, and his forty days expired, he began to acquaint himself with the Keeper of the Hospital, with the Priest, and several poor People belonging to it, who commonly for a small gain were wont to perfume and clean the Sores of the infected. Caddoz finding them disposed to hearken to his pernicious designs; he thereupon proposes to them an infallible means to get mony in bringing the Plague where it had not yet been, especially in great Houses, whose Estates might fall to them by Inheritance; or otherwise they might pilfer with out controul. They needed not much entreaty, all the difficulty lay in the manner how they should effect this. They concluded then to make a pestilential powder of Linen-rags, with which they had wiped the Sores of the sick, and to disperse them in several places. Caddoz passing then one day over the Bridge of Rhosne, let fall a Linen-Cloth, thinking no body had seen him; but a certain Person, perceiving he had dropt something, cried out, This Rascal Caddoz hath let fall a Cloth, in which I believe there's not any thing of value; which said, he would have taken it up. Another more cautious, bid him have a care what he handled. They therefore with a stick tumbled open this packet, from whence proceeded such a stink as infected the whole Bridge, no Body knowing whence it came. There was a Woman sent for, lately recovered of the Plague, who seeing it, Said, It was the matter of a Plague-sore. The Syndicks informed of the business, caused Caddoz to be apprehended and carried to the Bishoprick, where he was examined. It being asked him, what was in that Cloth he had dropt? He replied, It was the Corruption of a venereal Cancer in his Leg. Being questioned what moved him to do it, He answered, There were several who jeared him, because he had the Pox; whereupon he in revenge would give it them. The Magistrates not content with this answer, ordered him to be put upon the Rack. He then confessed it was designed for to breed the Plague. He was examined again wherefore he did it: and having told them who were his Accomplices, and their designs, they were apprehended: and he and the Keeper of the Hospital had their Flesh torn off with red hot Pinchers, their Heads cut off, and their Bodies quartered; the Priest was degraded, and afterwards execored. The Keeper of the Hospital's Son was much pitied, being very young; but a word slipt from him, which cost him his life: for being demanded if he knew how to make this Drug as well as his Father: He replied, Yes; and so was beheaded: and immediately after the Plague ceased.

and again in 1545

1545 - Lentilles spreads the Plague in Geneva

The City began again to be overspread by the Plague, it being first broughe thither (as it was thought) by some Switzers Soldiers who went to Italy in the French - Kings service. A certain Person, named Lentilles, who had been a Servant to the Keeper of the Hospital in Caddoz's time, began to practise what he had learned of him, carrying about the Plague in Rags and Linen Cloths, which had been bound about the Sores of the infected. Geneva. He had prevailed upon almost the Nurses and Women who clean. ed and perfumed the Housholdstuff of the infected. They had gotten a bie-word amongst them, by which they signified the Plague, calling it Clanda, rejoycing upon the encrease of it. When ever they met, they were wont to enquire one of another how Clanda did. The answer was commonly, She is goood for nothing, she doth nothing but sleep; or if there was any House newly infected, they were wont to answer, She is very well, she makes way in such a place. A certain person named Bernard Tallent, one of Lentilles Accomplices, was appréhended by the Bayliff of Thonon, to whom he confessed the whole design; who sent a Copy of his confession to Geneva. Whereupon Lentilles was laid hold on and examined, but he would confess nothing whatsoever torment he suffered. He was sent to Thonon to be confronted by his Companion, who maintained the charge against him; yet he ceased not to deny it, for all the torments of the Rack which he again under went, even to that extremity as to have his Shoulder broken; at which being let down, and put to Bed, he immediately died; without saying any thing more, than only advising them to seize upon all them who attended the Hospital. Which was done, and the greatest part confessing the Fact, were burnt alive, to the number of seven Men and twenty four Women. They declared, that Lentilles had obliged them by horrid Oaths to execute their mischievous designs, to besmear the Gates and encrease the Plague, so far till they of Geneva were reduced to that extremity, that the remainder of them might be maintained with a Bushel of Corn. A Man would scarce believe that so great a number of Persons should be prevailed on to work so horrid a villany, had they not all severally confessed it, without communicating one with another. The Surgeon and two others had their skins pulled off from them alive with red hot Pinchers; some of these Wretches were taken in the very Fact whilst their Companions were leading to Execution. After this the Plague ceased by degrees about All-Saints-day, it having swept away near Twenty thousand People.

 

[Perry Staltic]

Apparently, Geneva was an especially wicked place. John Calvin had Michael Servetus burned alive because he disagreed with Calvin's doctrine. When Servetus offered to come to Geneva to discuss matters with Calvin, Calvin wrote privately "[Servetus] takes it upon him to come hither, if it be agreeable to me. But I am unwilling to pledge my word for his safety, for if he shall come, I shall never permit him to depart alive, provided my authority be of any avail."