May 31, 2007
Where does the term quarantine come from?
The term 'quarantine' is derived from the Italian words quaranta
giorni, which refer to the 40-day period during which certain ships
arriving at the port of Venice during the Black Death plague outbreaks
of the 14th century were obliged to sit at anchor before any persons or
goods were allowed to go ashore.
giorni, which refer to the 40-day period during which certain ships
arriving at the port of Venice during the Black Death plague outbreaks
of the 14th century were obliged to sit at anchor before any persons or
goods were allowed to go ashore.