Zweierlei Arznei gegen die Pest

Did the Reformation change how epidemics were dealt with? There are numerous sixteenth century sources, especially on the Plague, which prove that while early modern Protestantism retained late medieval traditions, it also set new accents. Andreas Stegmann shows that medical and political measures were combined with the all-important active ingredient of religious interpretation to come up with a double remedy to treat epidemical ill. Understanding such plagues as God's judgment on sin, repenting from it, and trusting in the promise of God's grace was plausible for people at that time and something which enabled them to act responsibly. The territory of Mark Brandenburg provides good examples of how Lutheranism helped administer this dual dose of medicine to meet the challenges that confronted communities and individuals struck by outbreaks of disease during almost every decade of the Reformation.Einleitung
1. Die Pest in der Mark Brandenburg
2. Pestschriften
I. Medizin
1. Konrad Schwestermüllers Regiment und Lehre wider die schwere Krankheit der Pest (1484)
2. Märkische Ärzte in der zweiten Hälfte des 16. Jahrhunderts

II. Politik
1. Die älteste bekannte Pestordnung von 1552
2. Gegen die Seuchen vorsorgen. Die Vorschläge des Berliner Stadtarztes Matthäus Fleck aus dem Jahr 1566
3. Die kurfürstliche Pestordnung von 1598

III. Religion
1. Geistliche Diagnose und Therapie aus der Sicht des Mediziners: Jodokus Willich (1549)
2. Geistliche Diagnose und Therapie der Pest aus der Sicht des Theologen: Andreas Musculus (1565)
3. Gegen die Seuche ansingen: Bartholomäus Ringwaldt (1577)
4. Seelsorge angesichts der Übermacht der Seuche: Stephan Prätorius (1598)