PERFUME TO FIGHT AGAINST EPIDEMICS

PERFUME TO FIGHT AGAINST EPIDEMICS
“Breathe a serene and pure air of which no exhalation tarnishes the clarity; flee any infectious or nauseating odor that comes out of the gutters and poisons the atmosphere… ”
XNUMXth century Salerno School of Medicine

The therapeutic and disinfecting role of perfumes to protect against epidemics remained very present and to fight against cholera, plague and all kinds of contagious diseases, the perfume was used in the form of aromatic pastilles that were burned in casseroles. Plague outbreaks were deadly because no one knew how the disease spread (fleas on rats) and how to fight them effectively.

In 1347, the Black Death, originating in Asia around 1333, made its way to the port of Messina in Sicily from 12 Venetian galleys returning from the Black Sea.
In 1348, all of Europe was contaminated and the plague became the number one enemy of humanity.
To combat the epidemic, it was advisable to sprinkle aromatic plants and roses on the floors of the bedrooms, to water the floors with scented water and vinegar, and to burn the rosemary and juniper in burners.
The mouth and hands have been disinfected with wine flavored with pepper, cinnamon, ginger and cloves… ..