I Promessi Sposi (Ch. 31), by Alessandro Manzoni

<p>"I Promessi Sposi," a seventeenth century novel, vividly describes the devastating plague of Milan. Then whole families sickened in a few hours and died in less than a day's time of strange and violent complaints whose symptoms were unknown to physicians. (Volume 21, Harvard Classics)</p> <p>Capuchin monks given charge of the plague hospital in Milan, March 30, 1630.</p> <p> </p>