Fishing : quarantine regulations during the plague epidemic of 1813-1814 : permission granted to fisherman from Gozo to fish in Comino Channel

Abstract

The plague of 1813-1814 extinguished itself in Malta on the 7th March 1814, but not before invading Gozo which, thanks to the strict quarantine measures adopted in that island, had so far enjoyed a complete freedom from plague during the whole period of the disease in Malta. Governor Maitland cut off all communication with Gozo under penalty of death. A man was killed by firing squad because he had concealed that he was infected with plague (J. Attard, Xaghra Gozo). The first case is reported as that of Angelo Galea on the 18th February 1814. The number of persons who died in Gozo was one hundred and four. The pratique for Malta and Gozo was proclaimed on the 8th September 1814. [excerpt]