Purification plan for infected houses and contents

Abstract

This plague manuscript written in good 18/19 century Italian about intended instructions for the purification of infected houses and contents, was in the collection of the late Cecil Diamantino, and is being published by courtesy of Mr Anthony Camilleri. Dr. Giovanni Bonello has pointed out, that among the items mentioned, are porcelain objects. Though Chinese porcelain existed for centuries, it'was 'an extraordinary luxury only the richest could afford. Porcelain became common in Maltese households in the late 18th century when it started being manufactured on a large scale in Europe. The document does not refer to house numbers in Valletta, which were first introduced half-way through the 1813 epidemic. It seems to be written by a medical doctor on official public health business, with an excellent command ofltalian, perhaps the head of the Lazzaretto. [excerpt]