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The world's first isolation hospital gives up its gruesome secrets

The Independent [uK], 14 June 2007

 

On average the Venetians who lived during the glory days of the Republic

were rather small, just five feet five inches in height; they were well

nourished, and if they lacked sugar and fat the result was excellent

teeth with no cavities. These are among the first findings of a group of

archaeologists exploring a treasure trove of Venetian history that has

been locked away and forgotten for centuries: the graves of Lazzaretto,

an island in the Venetian lagoon whichbecame the world's first isolation

hospital. Following an outbreak of the plague in 1348, the Doge and his

advisers put their minds to thinking up a way to prevent a recurrence.

The upshot, at the beginning of the 15th century, was the world's first

isolation hospital occupying the entire small island. In 1630 the

hospital was dissolved and the island taken over by a military garrison;

later it was used to hold stray dogs. In the 1960s it was abandoned

altogether. Now it has become the subject of intensive study.

 

http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article2656029.ece