Torinese Plague and Roman Fever

This article focuses on two Italian court physicians of the late sixteenth century. Although the Sabaudian court differed widely from the cardinals’ courts in Rome, both Francesco Alessandri and Marsilio Cagnati display a similar inclination to publish on subjects transcending the field of individual medicine. While Alessandri’s plague treatise is among the first to report reliably on the civic measures of plague policy, Cagnati published on climate, epidemics and astronomy. The physicians’ engagement in a variety of public functions induced them to write on broader topics with which they were professionally confronted. Their writings reflected their social and political status and their involvement in public and political matters. The publications also served to advertise for the authors’ competencies, which were not limited to medical skills. While Alessandri displayed his qualities as an official of the Torinese health board, Cagnati presented himself as a counselor who could advise not only on medicine, but on a variety of subjects.