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Burden and Pleasure: The Spa Rash

    Irmtraut Sahmland, Aleš Verner

VIRUS Band 21, pp. 033-052, 2023/03/22

Schwerpunkt: Musik und Medizin

doi: 10.1553/virus21s033

doi: 10.1553/virus21s033


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doi:10.1553/virus21



doi:10.1553/virus21s033



doi:10.1553/virus21s033

Abstract

The article focusses on satirical song-lyrics dealing with spa rashes (exanthemas), a phenomenon caused by the extensive use of the warm waters during spa treatments. The lyrics can be dated to the second half of the 17th century and ought to be sung in different melodies. Due to the contemporary medical opinion on how the waters evoke their healing effects on the body, the provocation of spa rashes was deemed necessary. Only after its outbreak, people were allowed to take part in the pleasure and entertainment of the spas. In comparison with the ambitions to install certain standards of bathing due to medical aspects, our source presents a distinct patient’s view. The spa rashes seem to have been a commonly shared physical experience in early modern times. This setting is metaphorically transformed to comment on the idea of self-assertion within steadily hostile surroundings.

Keywords: Rash, spas, Switzerland, 17th century, patient’s view