In the year 1630, similarly to other cities of Northern Italy, Bologna was affected by a plague epidemic. It occurred after the arrival of Lansquenet troops, engaged by the Emperor Frederick II in the siege of Mantua city. The human losses have been calculated by the historian demographer Bellettini in the terms of around 15,000 people, so that the number of inhabitants in Bologna declined from 62,000 to 47,000 units in the time span of 7-8 months. Initially, during the winter and the early Spring, although the plague epidemic had been known after that it involved many cities close to Bologna (i.e. Turin, Milan, Venice, Genoa and Verona), the population tried to keep the epidemic hidden, being afraid that commerce echanges could be affected by this event. Later, starting from the month of May, under the guidance of cardinal Bernardino Spada, cooperating with the numerous religious orders and in particular that of the Camillians, the city reacted, launching an organization effort which significantly aided in the containment of the plague epidemic. A number of Lazarettoes were organized outside of the city walls and relevant sums supported the clean operation of over 3,000 houses. The city Senate sustained the poor population with a sum of 700,000 lire and grain donations. Even though the balance was heavy in terms of loss of human lives, it resulted not so dramatic, compared with that paid by other Italian cities. From a cultural point of view, according to the belief of the scientific, the miasmatic theories were still considered satisfactory, although in the common practice people who could leave the city escaped from Bologna, in order to avoid the contagion. We can argue that the impact of the epidemic was reduced by means of the organizational approach with strict isolation measures for sick persons, the closing of the city walls in the urban areas more affected by the plague, and finally a sanctionatory and punitive approach for individuals, who disregarded the applied rules.
Sabbatani Sergio, F.S. (2021). The plague which hit the city of Bologna in the year 1630. LE INFEZIONI IN MEDICINA, 29(1), 145-156.
The plague which hit the city of Bologna in the year 1630
Manfredi Roberto
2021
Abstract
In the year 1630, similarly to other cities of Northern Italy, Bologna was affected by a plague epidemic. It occurred after the arrival of Lansquenet troops, engaged by the Emperor Frederick II in the siege of Mantua city. The human losses have been calculated by the historian demographer Bellettini in the terms of around 15,000 people, so that the number of inhabitants in Bologna declined from 62,000 to 47,000 units in the time span of 7-8 months. Initially, during the winter and the early Spring, although the plague epidemic had been known after that it involved many cities close to Bologna (i.e. Turin, Milan, Venice, Genoa and Verona), the population tried to keep the epidemic hidden, being afraid that commerce echanges could be affected by this event. Later, starting from the month of May, under the guidance of cardinal Bernardino Spada, cooperating with the numerous religious orders and in particular that of the Camillians, the city reacted, launching an organization effort which significantly aided in the containment of the plague epidemic. A number of Lazarettoes were organized outside of the city walls and relevant sums supported the clean operation of over 3,000 houses. The city Senate sustained the poor population with a sum of 700,000 lire and grain donations. Even though the balance was heavy in terms of loss of human lives, it resulted not so dramatic, compared with that paid by other Italian cities. From a cultural point of view, according to the belief of the scientific, the miasmatic theories were still considered satisfactory, although in the common practice people who could leave the city escaped from Bologna, in order to avoid the contagion. We can argue that the impact of the epidemic was reduced by means of the organizational approach with strict isolation measures for sick persons, the closing of the city walls in the urban areas more affected by the plague, and finally a sanctionatory and punitive approach for individuals, who disregarded the applied rules.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.