Long before becoming famous for his prophecies, French physician Nostradamus treated plague victims throughout France and Italy during the 16th century. Unlike many contemporary doctors, he rejected bloodletting and emphasized hygiene, fresh air, low-fat diets, and removing infected corpses from city streets. He also created a rose pill, an herbal lozenge made from vitamin-C-rich rose hips, which reportedly relieved some patients with mild cases. His methods made him a local celebrity and earned him financial support from citizens of Provence.
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