LEMBKE Carl Detlaus, Disputatio Solennis Medica de Plica Polonica.

Disputatio Solennis Medica de Plica Polonica.

Quam Assistente divina gratia et annuente gratiosa facultate medica sub Praesidio Dn. Georgii Chritoph. Dethardingii Philosophiae et Medicinae Doctoris Hujusque Professoris Ducalis Publici et Ordin. Facult Medic. Ad hunc actum decani, in Celeberrima ad Varnum Academia. Pro Summis in Medician Honoribus More Majorum. Rite impetrandis die Junii Anno MDCCXXXIX publico eruditorum examini submittit. Author Carol Detalus Lembke, Jastrovio-Polonus. Rostochii 1739. typis Ioann. Iacobi Adleri. (23 x 19 cm), pp. [2], 37, [5], vignette, decorative initial, binding pperg. common.
(Estr. of this title does not note). Good condition, on pages non. Traces of browning on pages, copy uncut. A medical treatise on "Polish koltun". Plica polonica - "Polish koltun", also called "nail", "goźdźc" or "bundle", a bundle of hair on the head glued together with sebum and exudative secretion, resulting from 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 worn in Pinsk and Mazovia as late as the beginning of the 19th century.