Se garder de la tyrannie de la peste en France (XVIe-XVIIe siècles)
Guarding Yourself against the Tyranny of the Plague in France (16th-17th Century)

Summary/Abstract: Extending current research on pandemics in Europe and in particular in 16th and 17th century France, we have proposed to examine in this article the medical recommendations that aimed to protect patients from plague epidemics. Based on health regimes and plague treatises of the time, we analyzed the instructions offered by doctors, surgeons and apothecaries, to lead a healthy, virtuous life and preserved from disease. In the first part, we reminded contemporary reader of the founda­tions and theories of ancient medicine which, based on a complex and coherent system, favored the “middle ground” and sobriety. In the second part, we have grouped together the various prophylactic prescriptions relating to the six unnatural things, focusing on eating and drinking, movement and rest, the evacuation of superfluous humors and the control of passions.

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