Among potions and amulets: the use of precious stones at the 14th Century Bubonic Plague

In 1347, a disease of unprecedented mortality reached Italian ports: the Bubonic Plague. few years, it spread across European continent, killing millions people and leaving trail destruction. Amid urgency this scenario, in early years epidemic, tractates were created on pestilence written by doctors professors from main centres medicine such as Paris Bologna; and, second moment, smaller faculties centres, increasingly distant parts, creating map knowledge. The aimed to explain aetiology disease, hitherto unknown, propose prophylactic practices possible treatment, with phlebotomy use medication. part suggested medicines, precious stones emerald sapphire mentioned recurrently. Until today, we may find some works addressing gemstones medieval medicine, but usually superficially or attributing an irrationality their treatments. These arguments revisited proposed other ways understanding against Plague, based knowledge beliefs that surrounded them. This thesis aims, therefore, identify expose logic behind great pestilence, showing they contained magical-medical symbolic-religious qualities, which gave them powers strengthening, protection healing, important aspects fighting disease. For purpose, resorted extensive body documents composed mainly medical between 1348 1550, ancient lapidaries encyclopedias, exegetical literature.