Parallels

This fascinating book is an account of outbreaks of the plague in Aberdeen between 1500 and 1650. There are so many similarities between how infection was controlled then and now - though obviously measures used then were very low tech and there was no vaccination. Movement of people and goods was restricted and the entrances the the city were guarded to prevent infection arriving from 'the sooth', citizens had to take their turn in mounting guard, suspect individuals or goods arriving in the city had to be quarantined, infected persons and their families were isolated. Runners were employed to bring news of plague outbreaks in neighbouring communities.

Measures were put in place to support families who were affected and in later outbreaks isolation camps were set up. However, gibbets were also erected at strategic points in the city to remind folk of the penalty for breaking the rules. Nobody was above the law - the threat of punishment was enough and the gibbets were never needed.