A brief Journal of what passed in the City of Marseilles, while it was afflicted with the Plague, in the Year 1720

"A Brief Journal of what passed in the City of Marseilles, while it was afflicted with the Plague" by Monsieur Pichatty de Croissainte is a historical account written in the early 18th century. The text serves as a detailed record of the devastating impact of the plague in Marseilles during the year 1720. The journal provides insights into the events, responses, and experiences of the citizens and authorities faced with the catastrophe. The opening of this journal sets the scene as the plague begins to encroach upon Marseilles, chronicling the responses of health officials and the actions taken to mitigate the impending crisis. At the start, ships arriving from areas known to have experienced outbreaks are stopped for health inspections, and accounts of illness among sailors raise alarms. Detailed entries track the spread of sickness, the increasingly desperate measures taken by the city’s leaders, and the growing fears among the populace as the mortality rate escalates. This early portion paints a grim picture of a city on the brink of despair, laying the groundwork for an unfolding tragedy.