R. Villano - Apothecaries in the Kingdom of Naples (P. 6)

R. Villano - Activities and Apothecaries Pharmaceutical Companies in the Kingdom of Naples4
“Wi have a responsabily
to keep alive the past
from which we come from:
is both
our father and our son”
Carlos Fuentes
Raimondo Villano
LCC DG831
Activities and Apothecaries Pharmaceutical Companies
in the Kingdom of Naples

R. Villano - Activities and Apothecaries Pharmaceutical Companies in the Kingdom of Naples 5
The Angevin period
In the early Middle Ages, in the Angevin period, for want of Sancy de Mallorca, wife of
Robert of Anjou, also in the famous cloister of Santa Chiara is created hortus conclusus,
the space devoted to the cultivation of medicinal plants and foodstuffs.
In 1340 the famous physician learned and distinguished teacher, doctor of physical and
noble man Matthew silvatica, which certainly taught at Salerno in the early fourteenth
century, "writes the erudite book Pandette, Opus Pandectarum(27)
Medicinae(28)
, a
compilation of materia medica immense erudition, with diligent and accurate research
about the virtues of herbs, which shows the progress made from the Arabic at the
time. Matthew silvatica in this work is all herbs that are known, and those who, through
their unique qualities, and those that heal and harm. The manuscript begins with "Tabula
Semplicium" which lists various diseases and its remedies. Alongside the name of every
plant there are decorative designs colored alternately colored brick and blue. Various
herbs are listed alphabetically in the first letter of each herb is placed in a square and is
written with red ink or blue, surrounded by ever-changing designs, colored in red if the
letter is in blue and light blue if the letter is in red. The name of each herb follows the
indication of the evil that is recommended, so as to draw the remedy and even what time
of day appears more efficient (Dia-Sera). With the name corresponding to the last letter
of the grass, ending the manuscript pages, numbered at a later date, are 295.
On October 12, 1347 twelve Genoese galleys from the city of Kaffa in the Crimea, under
siege for three years by the Tartars led by Khan Djanisberg, arrive at the port of Messina
on board several sailors dead or dying(29)
died of the plague-infected catapulted like
bullets from behind the walls of the city.
Patients have the full body with black spots and strange bulges black oozing blood and
pus, groin and armpits or a high fever with pulmonary hemorrhage leading to death in a
single day(30), (31)
It is the bubonic plague that manitesta in the form that is transmitted by
contact with blood and infecting the symptoms of boils and black spots and the most
violent form that is transmitted by air, attacking the respiratory system.
_______________
(27) The word Pandectae is certainly of Greek origin is Latin dictionary, which contains everything.
(28) Opus Pandectarum Medicinae The manuscript, written in Latin, is preserved in Rome in the Vatican
Library (Ms. Vat Lat. 13010). It presents the viewer in a way not finished, quite big and worn by time. On the
cover faded, greyish there is nothing written, the dimensions are 280x400 mm. On the back cover at the top,
there is written: NB Robert King of Naples and Sicily homo of great wisdom who was considered a second
Solomon was invested in the United 26 August 1301 and died January 16, 1343. These words, written in
Italian and ink rather live in an era will have been added relatively recently. The manuscript of Opus
Pandectarum Medicinae is printed for the first time in Naples in 1474 and a second time Lugduni, Lyons
today, in 1541, at the press Ugone.The second edition of Pandectae Medicinas is in Naples at the National
Library (XXXIV.4.8, Lugduni, 1541, pp.172).
(29) "Were born in the beginning it to 'males and females equally or in anguinaia Ditella certain swellings or
under a certain sign of death (...) (...) almost all below the third day of' apparition de 'aforesaid signs, some
more quickly and less, and more without any fever or other accident died" (Giovanni Boccaccio, The
Decameron).
(30) An anonymous chronicler of Orvieto has among the causes of death, even the "dismay of the people": a
violent mental shock induced by fear of the plague. (Source: Cosmacini G, Art Long, P.. 211).
(31) History of the Franciscan Siculorum Michael Piazza.

These vessels also have their holds full of Russian wheat they eat hundreds of blacks
infecting mice whose fur is ideal microclimate for millions of fleas and pestilential Indian
pestigene type Xenopsylla cheopis. Mice blacks, especially if dying, leaving open for
light and their fleas that take root in humans, although it has fur, is a suitable habitat for
clothes and dirt(32)
as well as the 'intrinsic body heat. The presence of rats and fleas, is
also physiologically integrated metabolism of city sanitation of barns between anabolism
and catabolism of drains, open sewers and excremental stagnant sewage in the streets.
The deadly strikes infection with particular violence especially Italy where it reaches its
peak in 1348 and spread throughout Europe, ruined during a period beyond which
remains endemic reappearing periodically at intervals of about ten years in each region
with enormous damage and loss at least one quarter of the population(33)
.
There are a disaster socio-economic and a demographic crisis: there are 64,000 dead in
Naples.
Regression with demographic, then there is a significant decrease in average lifespan(34)
:
thirty-five to forty years that were attained before the great plague would return twenty-
five of the "dark years" (England seems to thirty-four the period 1300 to seventeen in
fever to go up to thirty-two in the first quarter of the fifteenth century).
This change in the structure of society and the effects of the crisis extend beyond the
fourteenth century. And "since only a minority reaching old age, few adults had to carry
the load to maintain a number of children and adolescents, and the society depends
on'experience of a few(35)
”.
The fear and uncertainty of the future comes to determining a barbarism of manners and
restraint gives way to extreme behavior: surpasses selfishness in place of respect and
compassion, they avoid contact with other people, growing unrest and resentment
among common immune and those infected. Ramps also maximized aggression and
hysteria of the flagellants wandering Jew as a scapegoat in the hunt (at this point to be
deployed even Pope Clement VI in 1349 with two bubbles of July 4 and September 26
condemning the persecution anti-Jewish, under pain of excommunication).
Guy de Chauliac writes that the Black Death is "not very convenient for doctors and such
to make them ashamed, because they did not dare go for fear of contagion, and when
little or visited were almost all sick and die."
Most doctors and pharmacists, in fact, often faced with the plague refers to the precept of
ancestry dell'aforisma Galenic quote, longe et late fugeas redeas (runs away quickly and
you can come back later), leaving the way clear for self-appointed curators makeshift
propinano ineffective remedies sold for its weight in gold.
The doctor, however, when visiting the sick is held at a distance and persistently sniff the
pomum amber, sponge or gauze soaked in a mixture of vinegar in which they are
dissolved powdered cloves or cinnamon.
_______________
(32) Medieval Western man himself and rarely washes his clothes.
(33) The plague leaves only the European continent in the mid eighteenth century. Up to 1537 epidemics
have cyclic recurrence.
(34) Instruments, medieval merchants, curated by Armando Sapori, 1972.
(35) Lopez writes (op. cit.).

The doctor, however, when visiting the sick is held at a distance and persistently sniff the
pomum amber, sponge or gauze soaked in a mixture of vinegar in which they are
dissolved powdered cloves or cinnamon.
It is understandable, therefore, the motivation of invoking God most widespread popular
level as follows: "a famine, plague and beautiful, Libera nos, Domine."
To purify the air from the various plagues that cause diseases by adopting the method of
ignition of large fires (calefazione) that are thrown ointments, resins and herbs to purify
the air by the miasma that is believed to spread the evil as contrast to the stench coming
from the rotting bodies abandoned.
Among the most commonly used substances are listed on the pine resin burnt larch wood,
sulfur, vinegar and even malodorous materials that are still able to cover the stench of the
miasma, for example, the dung of cattle, horns and hairs of different animals. It also
introduced the use of fragrant substances to keep the nostrils to purify the air directly
inspired: these sponges soaked in vinegar in which they were kept in infusion of cloves,
cinnamon and other spices. The precepts also recommends prophylactic: the ventilation
of rooms, personal ablutions with vinegar and rose water, use of fine wine and foods,
abstaining from sexual intercourse in relationships.
Among the therapies are counted as "extreme fregagioni party" with vinegar or rose
water, Vernaccia or Malvasia, the cleansing of corrupt humors based purges and
bloodletting, the elimination of superfluous premises based cauteries "Actual"
(iron burning) and cauteries "potential" (vitriol, lime), the Armenian bole, sigllate some
land, the grass from drying properties ersicaria moods and reducing fevers, the saffron to
the pallor of the skin, horn of deerdust or filings antitoxic and comfort, the oil smeared on
boils and scorpions, especially the triac).
There are, then, precious as sapphire and emerald purifiers and moderators of internal
heat and sweat and purification of the corruption of the body and the soul of
sins. Bloodletting is practiced technique "derivative" (pathology area in order to reduce
the plethora focololaio morbid) or technique revulsive "(opposite to divert focus from the
corrupted humours), some spice, however, shall apply leeches to 'anus of the plague
victims.
Among the treatments for the poor, then appear in place of lemon treacle seeds or toasted
crusty bread dipped in vinegar with onions and rue.
Religious, and, in some cases instead of bringing the extreme comfort to the dying, for
fear of infecting not perform the task generating the discomfort of a transition without
confession and extreme unction, "confessed when many were still healthy. Day and night
remained exposed on the altars consecrated host and the oil of the sick. No priest would
take the sacrament except those that were intended to some reward. And almost all of the
mendicant friars and priests have died of Trent(36)
.
The sick are abandoned homes from which come the cries for help but remain unheard,
while weeping relatives held a distance: "... many that died were those who saw them,
and many of them died of hunger, Inasmuch as one arises sick in bed, startled the people
_______________
(36) Canon John of Parma.

at home they said: <I wish for the physician> softly and squeezed away from the door,
and no return. He then abandoned by people as food, and accompanied by fever
apologize less. Many were ordered from them that they do not abandon them when
Slovenia in the evening, and 'sick they said: <you did not end that night with everything
you need to awaken people, and the hard work day and night, Totti yourself from
'sweetmeats and wine or water, here in the doorway of litter on 's your head, and bit'
tower of stuff>.
And when the patient fell asleep, he went away and did not return.
If his luck was the night comforted by this food in the morning alive and strong to do
pop, was half an hour before the person you cross, if it was not the way many teachers,
and even if some steps, and he had a little voice that was heard calling, when he said, was
relief.
Because, none, or few they wished intrare in the house, where some were sick(37)
.
In 1359 the importance of Salerno medical school is such that, when Queen Giovanna I
renew the old decree prohibiting practicing medicine without a license real Salerno
makes a petition stating that the decree conflicts with the old law School customary to
confer degrees in medicine.
The Queen gives a positive answer to that petition and confirmed the practice, so doctors
who have been certified by the professors of medicine in Salerno can practice medicine in
the whole kingdom, without the addition of a real license.
In 1362 Naples was hit by a wave of suova plague.
In the fourteenth century, then, for the presence of relatively strong central government in
the Kingdom of Naples, in addition, there are specific royal decrees regulating the
medical profession, starting as early as the late Middle Ages.
Starting in 1380, then, speaks of a chief physician in the reign of Queen Joan, but the
creation of a real judge charged with protecting the financial health of the art is the latest:
the Protomedicato, however, soon becomes much more important for its function both for
the medical tax.
The post of chief physician, in fact, an appointment which confers great prestige and is
the highest position that a Neapolitan doctor can land, but is essentially a formal role with
little real power.
The appointment may take on the significance of recognition for his service to the king
and the successes in the intellectual field. The beneficiary of office is usually the peak of
the medical establishment of the Kingdom.
The court has a Neapolitan Protomedicato ad hoc nature in that it brings together when
needed, but not a permanent bureaucratic structure (as can be found in other ancient
Italian states).
The chief physician was a counselor at his service, "with the opinion of the things which
the minister of justice", a coadjutor (assistant), a Mastrodatti (notary) and a
goalkeeper. The causes may relate to complaints against students who have exceeded the
limits imposed by their professional licenses or who have exercised without any license.
_______________
(37) Marchionne di Coppo Stefani, cronista fiorentino.

Other courts dealing with crimes in the medical field, a role that increases as you move
away from the capital to provincial audiences (the main organs of judicial administration
in the provinces) and baronial courts, in large areas of feudal jurisdiction.
The other courts which often involved in medical matters is the Holy Office or
Inquisition, in its stead, the local Episcopal Court. The jurisdiction in such cases is never
clear(38)
.
In 1383, being entered in the San Pellegrino credited with having discovered a cure that
frees dall'imperversare fever Naples, Charles III of Durazzo him to dedicate the building
in honor of a church in which, then, is placed under the altar his body.
In 1399, another plague strikes Naples.
_______________
(38) Source: David Gentilcore - Royal Protomedicato Napoletano and health professionals in the Kingdom of
Naples - Leicester University (UK).

APPENDIX

Historical eras
• United Odoacer, up to 493 (Heruli and others)
• United Ostrogoths, up to about 542 (Ostrogoths)
• Set the Byzantine Empire, until 763 (Byzantine)
• Duchy of Naples, until 1137
• Duchy of Naples, until 1195 (Norman)
• Kingdom of Sicily, until 1266 (Swabian)
• Kingdom of Naples until 1442 (Anjou, family Durres)
• Kingdom of Naples until 1646 (Aragon, Spain)
• Neapolitan Republic, until 1647
• Kingdom of Naples until 1713 (Spanish)
• Kingdom of Naples until 1734 (Austria)
• Kingdom of Naples until 1799
• Neapolitan Republic, 1799
• Kingdom of Naples until 1806
• Kingdom of Naples until 1815 (French)
• Kingdom of the Two Sicilies until 1860

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