Author: Duncan MacDonald
Category: Cook books
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Next morning, while on her way to the chapel for Lauds, Fea walked past the scriptorium. It was a large room with more than twenty monks working on long desks. Each one had a candle illuminating their work as they diligently copied text from an old document to another new codex.
[Codex - (Latin caudex for 'trunk of a tree') is a book in the format used for modern books, with multiple sheets of paper or vellum in multiples of two which are folded and stitched through. They are typically bound together and given a cover. The Romans used wax covered tablets of wood for taking notes and other informal writing. The wooden tablets were later tied together using thongs or cords.
At the turn of the 1st century CE a kind of folded parchment notebook called pugillares membranei in Latin, became commonly used for writing in the Roman Empire. This term was mentioned by both the pagan poet Martial and the Christian apostle Paul.
Some of the earliest surviving fragments come from Egypt. They include part of St John's Gospel dated between 125 and 160 CE. There is insufficient evidence to determine whether Christians played a major if not central role in the development of early codices. They may have simply adopted the format to distinguish themselves from Jews]
The codex holds many advantages over other book formats such as the scroll, as both sides could be used for writing. Technically any modern paperback is a codex, but the term is now reserved for manuscript (hand written) books produced up to the Middle Ages.
Fea walked over to an old monk and watched as he dipped his quill in a small container of black ink, and ever so carefully, copied the Latin letters from an old parchment to a new codex.
"Excuse me Brother, but that does not look like the Old Testament or New Testament, you are working on." said Fea.
"No my lady." replied the old monk, grateful that someone was taking an interest in his work. "This is a copy from a 450-year-old article by a Greek philosopher, who was the personal physician for two Emperors in Rome."
"Really? I thought you only copied things from the bible."
The old monk smiled "We copy everything we can lay our hands on my lady. This is from a new batch of documents we have just received direct from Iberia.” [modern day Spain or Portugal]
He looked covertly around the room and gave Fea a sly wink. "Because I am the senior monk here, I get first choice on what to copy. This is very interesting material. I don't understand all of it, but the parts about curing injuries to the Gladiators is fascinating."
"Is it possible for me to read some of your codex, Brother, when you have finished of course. But not here. I would feel uncomfortable in your scriptorium."
The old monk stepped down from his stool. "I am in charge here my lady. All the religious codex go directly to the Abbess, and everything else is just stored in our archives. I have never had anyone come and ask to read any of my non-religious material. I am delighted you find what we do of interest. You can come anytime lady Fea and I will loan you anything you wish to read."
"You know my name?" said Fea, surprised. There were over one hundred nuns and more than two hundred monks at St Brigid's.
"Yes my lady. We all know of your arrival, and the young Fianna warrior, Culann, who brought you. I consider myself fortunate that you show interest in my humble work."
"Bless you kind sir. May I ask your name?"
"I am known as Mullo my lady. "said he, now embarrassed.
"Brother Mullo, I will take up your kind offer." Fea grasped the older man's hands in hers. "I shall come here every day and check what is available. You have given me a reason for living once more."
Brother Mullo was beaming as Fea turned and left the scriptorium, humming to herself. As he sat down he noticed the other monks looking and smiling at him. He immediately lowered his bushy eyebrows and scowled at them. They all hurriedly resumed their work.
Suddenly Fea reappeared at the entrance. "Oh Brother Mullo, what is the name of your Greek Physician?"
"It's Galen lady Fea." [better known as Galen of Pergamon - modern day Bergama in Turkey]
"Oh good. I shall return tomorrow to learn of Master Galen."
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6.2 Physicians and Medicine
Sister Fea treating the sailor suffering from the Plague (Smallpox). A number of monks & some sisters gathered at the doorway discussing in hushed tones the unprecedented event of a sister working in the male infirmary.
So it came to pass that Fea rose before dawn every day with the other novices, and nuns, to attend Virgils, the pre-dawn prayers at the chapel. Monks also attended these prayer sessions but a wooden divider covered in beautiful tapestries and metalwork, made by the nuns and monks of the Monastery, separated male and female at prayer.
Immediately afterward she went to the cow shed with the other novice nun milk maids, helped milk the cows, and then herded them outside into the pastures for the day. Once the cows were peacefully grazing, she would sit under one of the shadier trees and take out the pages of one of the codex, given the previous evening by Brother Mullo.
The other novices and nuns were a little in awe of this beautiful young girl, who would spend all her spare time reading, not gossiping or sleeping, like the rest of them.
As sundown approached, they would herd the cows back to the enclosure at the monastery for the evening. Then, after washing, would attend Vespers at sundown, followed by evening supper and finally the night prayers of Compline, before retiring.
Behind the church, the nuns dwelt in a whole village of little huts. Here they prayed, meditated and slept. There was no furniture but the floor had a warm lining of rushes.
It took almost three months before Fea first developed cow pox on her hands and arms. Her companions were very sympathetic, but could not understand why Fea seemed quite pleased. They were even more mystified when they noticed her rubbing her pockmarked hands all over her face. But try as try as she might, the pox marks never infected her face.
Each evening after supper, Fea would slip down to the scriptorium, where she would sit next to Brother Mullo as he described the latest texts he had transcribed. Then at the end of their talk he would hand her some newly transcribed material in exchange for the ones she had read.
At the end of nine months the Abbess Harbondia called Fea to her small office. "My dear, are you enjoying your novitiate [the period during which one is a novice in a religious order] so far?" asked the Abbess.
"Oh yes Reverend Mother, I feel better now than I can remember."
"Good, good. Well my dear I think it is time you changed from being a lowly milk maid. We need to teach you more skills.
“Would you like to learn tapestry and sewing, or perhaps painting some of our murals is more to your liking? I know you are fluent in Latin so perhaps you could help in our classrooms, teaching other nuns and students?"
"Well of course I will do whatever you suggest Reverend Mother. But I have been learning a great deal about medicine and herbal treatment from old Roman and Greeks texts. I think I could be of more help in the infirmary."
The infirmary? That is the domain of the monks."
"When I was first brought here nine months ago, I was treated there very kindly by Sister Una."
"Well that was because you had woman's troubles. Do you want to treat women only?"
"No I believe I have knowledge to treat men and women."
"No I'm afraid I can't give permission for you to treat men my dear. If you wish to heal men when they come to us, as they mainly do with injuries from fighting, you can pray to the Lord for their recovery. That is final."
Fea frowned, then after a few moments hesitation said "If that is what you wish Reverend Mother, then I will work in the women's ward."
There were not many women patients. Fea knew most women's health problems revolved around childbirth and that was always handled at home by mid-wives. But perhaps she could use some of the healing skills she had read about.
A pit
y she could not treat men as most of the texts she had read from the Greek, Galen, described the treatment he dispensed when physician to the gladiators of the High Priest of Asia in Pergamon. He gained favor of the High Priest, one of the wealthiest and influential men in Asia, after he eviscerated [remove the internal organs. Latin ‘e’ meaning ‘out’ + viscera ‘entrails’] an ape, then challenged other physicians to repair the damage. They refused, so Galen did the surgery himself. In doing so he won the favor of the High Priest.
Over the next four years Galen learnt the importance of diet, hygiene, fitness and preventative measures. He learnt the best treatment of fractures and severe trauma, referring to the wounds as "windows into the body".
Only five deaths occurred while he held the post. Sixty gladiators died during his predecessor’s time.
It's a pity women don't engage in mortal combat. What am I thinking? Am I going mad? And after me scolding Culann with the words ‘Can’t you men think of anything except killing.’
Now why did I suddenly think of that? Where is Culann? Did he go to Iona? Most likely not. Most likely he is dead or maimed in one of his stupid battles. If he was maimed, could I save him? I must try.
And so Fea went to work daily at the women's infirmary. As there were no combat injuries to heal, she spent most of her time learning about the healing qualities of herbs and plants.
Occasionally she would speak to one of the monks who were treating some wounded warrior or farmer in their care. She initially suggested some treatment, but they either laughed at, or ignored her suggestions. What would a woman know of combat injuries? Most of the men died. The ones that lived were mostly crippled. The monks said the ones that did survive, did so because of their prayers.
So Fea stopped making suggestions.
* * * *
One day after Sext prayers [about midday] Brother Mullo rushed into the women's infirmary, looking for Fea.
"Wonderful news Sister Fea. Wonderful news. We have received some new texts written by Galen. Some in Latin and some in Greek. I cannot read the Greek, but the Latin ones look wonderful. Come and see."
Together they almost ran to the scriptorium. All the monks were gathered around a bundle of scrolls. "Where did you get them from?" asked Fea.
"A sailor, direct from Rome. Isn't it wonderful? He brought it here from the harbor on the river Liffey."
"Why did a sailor bring these all the way from Liffey to here?"
"Oh, he said his shipmates were sick and people told him to come to St Brigid's for healing."
"Where is he now?"
"He's in the male infirmary. Don't you want to look at these scrolls?"
"No I want to talk to a man who brings these scrolls to us because all his shipmates are ill." Fea marched out of the scriptorium.
The monks looked on in amazement, then collectively shrugged and went back to investigating the scrolls. "Women!"
* * * *
Fea stormed into the male infirmary. "Where is the sailor?" she demanded. The two monks on duty, tried in vain to ask her to leave.
"I'm not leaving until I see the sailor. Where is he?"
Chastened, they pointed to a pallet in the far corner. A figure was curled up in a fetal position. He had no clothes on. His body looked black.
Fea knelt down beside him, turned him over so he lay on his back and moistened a wet rag over his cracked lips. "There, there, don't worry" she crooned. You'll be fine. Rest now and we'll talk later."
His eyes fluttered open and finally focused on her face. He tried to speak, but Fea could not understand the dialect. "Does anyone speak his language?" her tone sharp.
"Brother Sutugius says he is from Gaul. He understands him." said one of the monks.
"Get him in here. Now!" the nearest monk almost jumped at Fea's command, and ran out the doorway.
Within a few minutes he was back with a middle aged monk who was breathing heavily from the sudden exertion. "What's, (puff) going on? (puff)"
"Can you understand this man?" asked Fea not looking up, still wiping the sailors face, which she could tell was burning with fever.
"Yes, he speaks a dialect I am familiar with. I think he is from Gaul." .
"Then ask him where are his companions."
Brother Sutugius knelt down close to the sailor and spoke quietly to him. The sailor mumbled a reply.
"He says they are all dead. The last three died on the way here from their boat. He said the people at the Liffey port told them they would be cured at St Brigid's."
"Tell him not to worry. We will cure him." said Fea.
"But how? It looks like they have the plague."
"Tell him!" said Fea through gritted teeth." If he doesn't believe he can live, he won't survive. And get me some fresh water and bandages."
"But you shouldn't be here. This is the men's infirmary."
All the pent up disappointment at being denied access to the male infirmary spilled over. Fea, although a novice nun at this great monastery, had spent her whole life as a princess in her father's court, used to giving commands and having them instantly obeyed, even as a young girl.
"If you don't have the courage to stay here, then leave. If you stay - make yourself useful," really angry now. The monks scattered. They had never heard a woman use such language.
She was alone with the dying sailor. Frustration welled up in her and it was all she could do to stop crying. But that was impossible in front of her patient.
A familiar male voice said "Can I help Sister Fea?" It was Brother Mullo who had quietly entered.
"Dear Mullo, thank you. I am afraid this poor man has the plague. His symptoms look similar to those described by Galen, as the Antonine plague. If it is, then many of us here will die.”
"If it is God's will we die, then so be it my child. In the meantime, how can I help?"
[It is believed the Antonine Plague was Smallpox. The Antonine Plague was named after the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121-180) who probably died from the plague which raged through the Roman Empire in the late 2nd century. It was reported extensively by Galen who was in Rome at its outbreak in AD 166. Approximately 2,000 people a day were dying in Rome at its height. The mortality rate of the plague was 7% to 10%. The outbreak in 166/169 would have caused 3.5 to 5 million deaths]
"Oh you wonderful man." cried Fea now brushing away tears. "Thank you dear friend. I need clean water and cloth to bathe him." And so Fea and Brother Mullo began the task of saving the foreign sailor.
Word spread quickly throughout St Brigid's. A number of monks and some of the sisters gathered at the doorway to the infirmary. Discussing in hushed tones the unprecedented event of a sister working in the male infirmary. Fea looked around at the gathering crowd. "If you want to help, get me some willow bark. Mash it in water so I can get this man to drink it. Quickly!" Some of the nuns disappeared to do her bidding.
She went back to bathing the sailor. He had a rash with large pustules, some the size of her fingernail all over his face and most of his body. The skin had turned a dull dark color. He had a high fever, and was vomiting.
"Ask him how long has he felt sick." Fea said quietly.
Brother Mullo murmured to the sick sailor who mumbled a reply.
"He said about 10 days. Do you think he will live?"
"I don't know. If this is like the plague mentioned by Galen, and he survives the next two or three days, he will live."
Two sisters brought in a container with the willow water and scurried out. Fea poured it into a small cup, and gently raising the sailor's head, encouraged him to sip. It took a long time just to empty the cup. The sailor then fell asleep. Fea covered him with a cloak, and waited.
Over the next two days Fea and Mullo ate and slept in the infirmary. They left only to wash, separately. The nuns brought food and water plus some more herbs Fea requested. No one else stayed in the infirmary.
The Abbess came in briefly, and suggested
they need not leave their patient to attend prayers.
On the third day the sailor's fever abated and he sat up and asked for food.
The entire body of monks and nuns came by to see for themselves, and congratulate Fea and Mullo. Fea was so exhausted, she could hardly stand, and had to be helped to her quarters to change her clothes and rest.
She laid her head on her bed of rushes and was instantly asleep.
It seemed just moments later, although it was in fact half a day, when Fea was shaken awake by one of the nuns. "Sister Fea, please come quickly. Three of our nuns have fallen sick with fever and have a rash."
The plague had spread.
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6.3 The Plague
Claudius Galenus, better known as Galen of Pergamon, is regarded as the most accomplished medical researcher of antiquity. His theory on the circulatory system in which he determined that blood circulates with the heart acting as a pump. Galen was in Rome when the Antonine Plague (smallpox) struck in AD 166. He described its symptoms & treatment.
Fea went to the Female Infirmary to treat the sick nuns. The sisters on duty were nervous and did not want to go near their sick colleagues. They stood over against the far wall, only delivering wet towels and willow water, when asked by Fea.
By mid-afternoon another two nuns were admitted suffering fever and Brother Mullo sent word he had six monks all with similar symptoms, fever and a rash over their body.
Fea was struggling alone to help her patients, wondering how long she could keep up this schedule before collapsing herself. Suddenly, in marched fifteen young nuns. The milk maids had volunteered en mass, to help their former colleague.
Fea divided them into teams to assist in the female and male infirmaries.
Over the next few days more nuns and some of the monks also volunteered. Which was just as well, as more and more of their brethren were falling ill.
They had their first death on day eight. One of the nuns passed away during the night and another the next morning.
Day ten brought the worst news. Brother Mullo was ill. Fea rushed to the male infirmary to take personal care of the old monk. His face was covered in large pustules as was the rest of this body. He was delirious and had a high fever.