HYNITZSCH Johann, Dissertationem Inauguralem, de Plica Polonica, Germ. Weichsel-Zopff.

Dissertationem Inauguralem, de Plica Polonica, Germ. Weichsel-Zopff.

Rectore Magnificentissimo, Serenissimo Principe Regio ac domino, Dn. Friderico Augusto, elect. Saxon. Herede. (...) Ex auctoritate Gratiosae Facultatis Medicae, Praeside Dn. Paulo Gottfr. Sperlingio, Med. Doct. Anatom. ac Botan. Prof. Publ. longe celeberrimo, nec non Archiatro Principis Servestani splendidissimo, Domino ac Patrono suo in aeternum devenerando, pro licentia, summos in arte medica honores, insignia ac privilegia doctroatus legitime capessendi, A se cinscriptam, publico Eruditorum examinisubjicit Ioanne Hynitzsch / Plessnensis Silesius, In Auditorio Maiori, Horis Ante et post meridiem statis. Wittenbergae 1702. typis Christiani Gerdesii. (19 x 15.5 cm), pp. 31, vignette, decorative initial, binding pperg. contemporary.
(Estr. T. 18). Good condition, browning of pages. A medical treatise on the "Polish koltun". Plica polonica - "Polish koltun", also called nail, nailhead or bundle, a bundle of hair on the head glued together with sebum and exudative secretion, formed as a result of lack of hygiene or failure to use a brush or comb; the formation of koltun was also fostered by the wearing of hats, which was common among peasants. Old medical superstitions forbade cutting off the quilt for fear of negative health effects; wearing it was supposed to protect against disease and the devil. Sometimes a quilt was grown on purpose by rubbing the hair vigorously and thereby uncombed, causing it to become frizzy - in this case it is not related to hygienic negligence. An old quilt of this kind can be compared to dreadlocks; such deliberately grown quilts were still worn in Pinsk and Mazovia in the early 19th century. 9505/8