OCR Text |
Show Antiseptic "Vinegar of I the Four Thieves." r MARSEILLES was attacked In 1721 by an . a epidemic of the plague, In which 60,000 . citizens perished. During that epidemic four robbers looted the houses of tho plague victims and seemed Immune from the disease. Their number soon Increased. These robbers obtained 1 immunity by anointing their bodies all over with H a liquid which obtained wide renown under the l& name "Acetura antlseptlcum vulgo dee quatre f voleurs" (common antiseptic vinegar of the four It taieves). I", The Medical Record gives the formulr, for this t antl-peslous remedy, as follows f- ' The authentic formula orders a handful each I of wormwood, queen of the meadow, wild mar joram, and sage, fifty cloves, two ounces each of elecampane, angelica, rosemary and hoarhound and one ounce of camphor. These are digested for fifteen days in three pints of strong white wine vinegar, strained and tightly bottled When one is about to be exposed to the plague ths I vinegar should be rubbed on the temple, neck, ears and hands. The Codex of 175S modified the I formula, adding rue, garlic and other substances and omitting some. "It is quite obvious that the benefit was ob- f tained by keeping away the infected fleas which are now known to transmit the disease. The I I formula as officially made public at the time I of the epidemic by the Aldermen of Marseilles." |