What is Vinegar of the Four Thieves?

Before the advent of modern disinfectants, various herbs were used to protect both those caring for the sick and those who dealt with the dead.

One of the most interesting references concerns four thieves who were caught looting the homes of the sick during the 17th century plagues of Toulouse, France.  The officials judging the case were astonished by their apparent indifference to the contagion.  A contemporary account reads in part: “in order to have the sentence mitigated they revealed their secret preservative.” — Parliament of Toulouse archives 1628-1631.

Back to