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    How to Protect Against Disease, c. 1470

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    How to Protect Against Disease, c. 1470

    marginal illustration of man wielding stick toward leashed bear doing a handstand British Library, Burney 275, f. 379v

    Anyone who can ride a bear the distance of nine paces without faltering will be immunized against nine kinds of sicknesses.

    The Distaff Gospels (trans. Madeleine Jeay & Kathleen Garay)

    Vaccinations or a bear rodeo: I think you know which is more fun.

    Tags: 15th century, bears, medicine

    Updated: May 05, 2015

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