Contract of a Plague Doctor

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Contract of a Plague Doctor
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A Plague Doctor
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Plague Victims
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Lancing the sores
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Death TriumphantMajor artistic theme
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• As you read each clause of the contract ask
  yourself the following questions?
• Who put the clause in the contract?
• Why did they put this particular clause in the
  contract?

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Introduction

• The following agreement was entered into by the
  parties of Master Giovanni de Ventura and the
  community of Pavia (Lombardy, Italy) on May 6,
  1479.

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Introduction (pt 2)

• Conditions agreed upon between the magnificent
  Community of Pavia and the doctor of medicine,
  Giovanni de Ventura in order to treat the
  patients suffering from the plague.

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Clause 1

• The community of Pavia and its council shall
  provide the sum of 30 florins per month to Master
  Giovani de Ventura.

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Clause 2

• Payment of said funds shall be made two months in
  advance. (there is a note which amended this to
  one month in advance).

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Clause 3

• This clause stipulated that the community must
  make adequate security pledges to guarantee
  payment of salary.

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Clause 4

• The community of Pavia and its council shall
  provide Dr. Ventura with "an adequate house in an
  adequate location, completely furnished."

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Clause 5

• The community of Pavia and its council shall
  continue to pay Master Giovanni Ventura for a
  period of two months after the termination of his
  employment.

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Clause 6

• The said Master Giovanni shall not be bound or
  held under obligation except only in attending
  the plague patients. It later was added that
  Giovani must treat all patients and visit
  infected places as it shall be found to be
  necessary."

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Clause 7

• The community of Pavia and its council shall
  grant citizenship to Giovanni Ventura It later
  was added according to how he shall behave
  himself.

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Clause 8

•  In the event -- may God forbid it -- that the
  said Master Giovanni should die in the exercise
  of these duties, that the heirs shall not be
  required to make restitution of any part of his
  salary that might remain unearned.

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Clause 9

• The said Master Giovanni shall not be able to ask
  a fee from anyone, unless the plague victim
  himself or his relatives shall freely offer it.

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Clause 10

• Whenever and however it shall come about -- God
  forbid that it should -- that because of a plague
  of this kind the city may be brought so low that
  Master Giovanni cannot have his wage nor the
  things necessary to his existence, that then and
  in that case Master Giovanni may be released from
  his obligation without any penalty."

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Clause 11

• The community of Pavia and its council is under
  obligation to maintain a barber who should be al
  least adequate and capable..."

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Clause 12

• The community of Pavia and its council has and is
  under the obligation to provide said Master
  Giovanni with all and everything which is
  necessary for his life, paying and exbursing the
  money therefore..."

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Clause 13

• Should the community of Pavia and its council not
  observe the previously agreed conditions, either
  partially or totally, then and in that case it
  would be possible to said Master Giovanni to be
  totally free from any engagement notwithstanding
  the previous clauses or others to be made. It
  later was added the doctor shall notify the
  community at least ten days in advance so that
  the Community would be on the condition to
  provide (for a substitute).

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Clause 14

• Said Master Giovanni would have and should be
  obliged to do his best and visit the plague
  patients twice or three times or more times per
  day, as it will be found necessary."

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Clause 15

• In the case--may God forbid it-- that the said
  Master Giovanni would fall ill, and could not
  perform his office, that then and in such case he
  should receive a salary only for the time of his
  service.

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Clause 16

•  Master Giovanni should not be allowed to move
  around the city in order to treat patients unless
  accompanied by a man especially designated by the
  Community.