Five Minute History – The Changing Face of Medicine in 17th Century Italy by Deborah Swift

Five Minute History – The Changing Face of Medicine in 17th Century Italy 

by Deborah Swift

The Cameo Keeper focuses on medicine and healing in the 17th Century, a time of significant transformation in Italian medicine. As Europe shifted from the Renaissance towards the era of scientific exploration, Italy became a key centre for medical thought and innovation, blending ancient traditions of healing and herbalism with new discoveries. The old medicine and the new were less-than-happy bedfellows, and the advent of printing meant that men’s version of remedial medicine was more often promoted in written texts than the women’s traditional remedies. Men’s thought was widely disseminated in printed books, whereas women’s cures were left in the kitchen notebooks.

The Old Tradition

At the dawn of the seventeenth century, Italian medicine was still deeply rooted in the classical theories inherited from Greek and Roman scholars such as Galen and Hippocrates. Universities such as Padua, Bologna, and Pisa were renowned for their medical faculties, teaching aspiring physicians from these ancient texts. In my novel, Jacopo has studied at Padua University, but he is now intent on a career in the Santo Spirito Hospital in Rome. Medical education was still emphasising the balance of the four humours—blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile—as the foundation of health and disease.

But in the new age of medicine anatomical dissection became increasingly important, with doctors such as Giovanni Alfonso Borelli and Marcello Malpighi leading the field. Malpighi, celebrated as the "father of microscopical anatomy" for his pioneering use of the microscope, was able to observe capillaries, organs, and tissues, thus advancing the study of physiology.

Surgeons were often required to show off their skills in public demonstrations, and anatomy theatres were popular entertainment for the rich. Some of these were experiments on the dead, but there were also ‘trials’ on the living. These took the form of ‘competitions’ or ‘trials’ where those competing for a surgeon’s position would have to demonstrate their abilities before a hospital board.

The 17th century was also marked by recurrent outbreaks of plague. The outbreak in Rome in 1656 led to stringent quarantine measures – isolating affected neighbourhoods and the fumigation or burning of infected items. City states established boards of health, enhancing the management of infectious diseases. Quarantine hospitals on city outskirts became a hallmark of the new Italian public health strategy, and in Rome one of the quarantine hospitals that features in The Cameo Keeper is one run by monks, and isolated on an island in the middle of the Tiber.

Herbalism and Pharmacy

During this period, women’s role in healing changed. The old tradition of herbal remedies persisted, but influenced by the new science of chemistry, apothecaries began incorporating chemicals and metals into their preparations. Paracelsian ideas, which promoted chemical remedies over traditional humours-based treatments, began to gain ground. Italian pharmacists and physicians experimented with compounds such as antimony and mercury. 

Although women were largely excluded from formal medical education, they played crucial roles as midwives, herbalists, and caregivers. Some women, especially in religious orders, managed hospital wards and contributed to nursing and patient care.

The common people still relied on the cheaper, more available care from the women in their households, and care in hospital depended on how much you could afford to pay. 

The Cameo Keeper

Giulia Tofana Series

By Deborah Swift

Publication Date: November 11th, 2025

Publisher: Quire Books

Pages: 370

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rome 1644: A Novel of Love, Power, and Poison

Remember tonight... for it is the beginning of always
― Dante Alighieri

In the heart of Rome, the conclave is choosing a new Pope, and whoever wins will determine the fate of the Eternal City.

Astrologer Mia and her fiancé Jacopo, a physician at the Santo Spirito Hospital, plan to marry, but the election result is a shock and changes everything.

As Pope Innocent X takes the throne, he brings along his sister-in-law, the formidable Donna Olimpia Maidalchini, known as La Papessa – the female Pope. When Mia is offered a position as her personal astrologer, she and Jacopo find themselves on opposite sides of the most powerful family in Rome.

Mia is determined to protect her mother, Giulia Tofana, a renowned poisoner. But with La Papessa obsessed with bringing Giulia to justice, Mia and Jacopo's love is put to the ultimate test.

As the new dawn of Renaissance medicine emerges, Mia must navigate the dangerous political landscape of Rome while trying to protect her family and her heart. Will she be able to save her mother, or will she lose everything she holds dear?

For fans of "The Borgias" and "The Crown," this gripping tale of love, power, and poison will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Praise for Deborah Swift:

''historical fiction that is brisk, fresh and bristling with intrigue'

~ Bookmarked Reviews

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Deborah Swift

Deborah Swift is the author of twenty novels of historical fiction. Her Renaissance novel in this series, The Poison Keeper, was recently voted Best Book of the Decade by the Wishing Shelf Readers Award. Her WW2 novel Past Encounters was the winner of the BookViral Millennium Award, and is one of seven books set in the WW2 era.

Deborah lives in the North of England close to the mountains and the sea.

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A Virtuoso in America: Adrian (A Holocaust Story, Book #2) by Fred Raymond Goldman

A Virtuoso in America: Adrian
(A Holocaust Story, Book #2)
By Fred Raymond Goldman

Publication Date: July 30th, 2025
Publisher: Historium Press
Pages: 272

Genre: Historical Fiction / World War II Fiction

How do you reconcile a decision you made in the past when the world erupts in war, threatening the life of someone you love and believe you were protecting?

Adrian Mazurek immigrated to the United States from Krakow, Poland, 14 years ago and is now a successful violin soloist and concertmaster of The Eleventh State Symphony Orchestra in New York. But despite his outward success, Adrian is inwardly harboring a shameful secret, one he has not revealed to anyone.

However, that is about to change. Adrian plans to propose marriage to Suzanne, but he knows he must tell her the truth about his past before doing so. Riddled with guilt and shame, Adrian can barely look at himself in the mirror. How can he look Suzanne in the eyes and tell her that he left his infant son, Simon, in the care of his aunt and uncle in Poland 14 years ago? If only confessing the truth to Suzanne was the most difficult part.

Adrian soon learns that Germany has invaded Poland and World War II has begun. Fearing the Germans will learn that his son is of Jewish heritage, Adrian must do something to ensure Simon's safety. But what? And will Suzanne stand by his side or will she turn away because of his deceit?

Excerpt

Adrian followed Suzanne from the Three Aces Club. He managed to reach her taxi before she closed the door. He got in. The driver turned to see if everything was all right. Suzanne nodded for the driver to go ahead.

They both sat quietly not looking at each other.

He wanted to take her hand, to squeeze it, but he was afraid she’d pull away.

Suzanne didn’t say anything when she got out of the taxi. Adrian paid the driver and followed her into her apartment. She hung up her coat but didn’t offer to do the same for him. He tossed his coat onto the back of a chair in the living room. Suzanne sat on the sofa and crossed her arms. She looked down to the floor. When he moved to sit next to her, Suzanne’s eyes rose glaringly to meet his. He took two steps back.

“Say something, anything,” Adrian said to a scowling Suzanne. “Please, just don’t look at me like that. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

Suzanne’s face reddened. “I don’t know what to say. I’m speechless.” She played with her hands. After a pause she said, “When were you planning to tell me? Why have you hidden this from me?” Her anger was raw.

“I didn’t just hide it from just you, Suzanne. I hid it from everyone. For years I’ve even tried to block it from my own mind. Aside from Otto, you’re the only person who knows.”

She glared at him. “How did you think you could get away with it?”

“I didn’t. I planned to tell you the night of the fundraiser. I was going to propose when we got back to your apartment, but the news of war in Poland, my worry about how that might affect Simon, and my hearing the conversation by Nazi sympathizers threw me for a loop. So, I planned to tell you tonight instead, after dinner. I rented a horse and carriage to ride us through Central Park. I was going to tell you then. Otto telling you about Simon ruined that.”

Suzanne shook her head. Her body twisted deeper into the sofa. “Did you think you could drop that information on me, and I’d fall into your arms and agree to marry you?”

Adrian saw the tension in her neck and shoulders. He had to convince her he was sincere, to help sooth her anger and regain her trust in him. There was a willingness in him to believe he could make things right. The thought of losing Suzanne was too painful.

He leaned forward in his chair and licked his lips before speaking. “I’m in love with you, Suzanne. I acted foolishly. I should have told you about Simon when I saw we were becoming serious. You have every right to be angry.”

“Right now, I’m just stunned. I thought we loved each other. I had high hopes for our relationship, especially that we’d always be honest with one another.” Her voice was firm and direct. “This has been a jarring surprise. I need to know the truth. Otherwise, there’s no possibility of my trusting you again.”

Adrian felt a lump in his throat. “You’re right, Suzanne. I understand how you must feel. Where would you like me to start?” He was berating himself for being naïve in thinking she’d accept such a shock so readily.

Still glaring at Adrian, she said, “You might start with the truth. Why on earth have you been hiding this from me?”

Adrian took a deep breath. “Do you mind if I have a drink?” he said, already making his way to her liquor cart. “It’ll help relax my nerves. I want to tell you what you should know and answer your every question.

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Fred Raymond Goldman

Fred Raymond Goldman graduated from Western Maryland College in Westminster, MD (now McDaniel College) in June 1962 with a B.A. in psychology. In 1964, he earned an M.S.W. degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Most of his career was devoted to the Jewish Communal Service. He served as the administrator of Northwest Drug Alert, a methadone maintenance program at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, where he also became the community’s reference point for steering drug abusers to Jewish resources. The work focused on helping individuals achieve abstinence, receive counseling, and find employment.

Following this role, Fred was hired as Assistant to the Director of Jewish Family Services in Baltimore.

The final position in his professional career was with Har Sinai Congregation, a Jewish Reform synagogue in Baltimore, where he served as Executive Director for 23 years before retiring in October 2005.

In retirement, Fred pursued his interests in hiking with The Maryland Hiking Club, exploring nature, and volunteering at The Irvine Nature Center, where he guided schoolchildren on nature hikes and assisted in the Center’s nature store.

Writing had been an interest since childhood, though Fred did not pursue it seriously until retirement. Beginning with children’s books, he became a member of the Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Association. Among the works he wrote were Vera and the Blue Bear Go to the Zoo, Never Bite an Elephant (And Other Bits of Wisdom), The Day the School Bus Drivers Went on Strike, If You Count, and The Day the School Devices Went on Strike. Although these works were never published, Fred hopes that if the CONCERTO books gain recognition, opportunities for these earlier works may follow.

The journey of writing the CONCERTO companion books began after Fred noticed a note on the local library bulletin board announcing the formation of a writer’s group led voluntarily by a local author. Joining the group with nine others, he learned the essentials of writing—maintaining the protagonist’s point of view, building tension toward a climax, rewriting, and developing complex characters with flaws, peculiarities, and unique personalities.

Over four years, Fred devoted significant time to writing, researching, rewriting, and submitting the manuscript. Originally one book titled The Auschwitz Concerto, the project was later divided into two volumes and self-published.

Encouragement from the teacher and fellow writers in the group played a pivotal role in shaping the novels, as Fred also contributed to the successes of others through critique and support.

In the Author’s Notes, Fred explains the purpose of making the books available to the public. Before embarking on the project, he knew little about the Holocaust beyond its staggering toll of nine million lives and its place as one of history’s darkest chapters. In writing the novels, he not only gained deeper knowledge of history and human suffering but also developed a heightened awareness of current issues that demand attention. As he notes, what affects one group of people has the potential to affect all of us.

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