https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147400 2026-07-25T09:27:35Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148220 Title: The fly in the ointment : cantharides in the Holy Infirmary? Abstract: Cantharidin, extracted from some very colourful beetles of the Meloidae family, came with a sting in its tail. Although used as a panacea for a multitude of medical problems, it was recognised as a poison, and stringent measures were observed, both in its production as well in its application. It had also multiple side effects, some of which, particularly those that caused genital inflammation were specifically looked for. One of its purveyors included the Marquis de Sade who administered it to prostitutes in non-pharmacological doses. It was also used in simples in the Holy Infirmary of St John on Malta, where it was adequately stocked and used by the physicians there. The medical indications here, presumably, were dissimilar from those sought after by de Sade. 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148219 Title: The 1519 papal bull Religionis zelus promulgated by Leo X Abstract: In 1489, the Order of St Lazarus was suppressed by Innocent VIII to supposedly augment the holdings and benefices of the Order to the Order of St John. This was strongly opposed by the grand magistry of the Order of St Lazarus supported by the French Royal House. The relationship between the Kingdom of France and the Holy See was eventually regulated by the Concordat of Bologna of 1516 which gave the French king the right to choose and present for eventual appointment by the Holy See the French master general of the Order of St Lazarus. The king’s nomination of Claude de Mareuil as master general of the Order of St Lazarus in 1519 led to the confirmation of the appointment by Leo X. This confirmation led to the repealing of previous bulls abolishing the Order. 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148218 Title: Philatelic items relevant to the Order of Saint Lazarus Abstract: Philately serves to document the history of a country or in the case of cinderella stamp issues of an institution or organization. Philatelic issues released, often as cinderella issues by the Order of Saint Lazarus serve to document historical events and honouring distinguished persons who gave some contribution to the Order. 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148217 Title: The relationship of the Order of Saint Lazarus in France to the Catholic Church during the inter-wars period : 1918-1939 Abstract: The early decades of the twentieth century saw the Order obliged to restructure itself to conform to the legal requirements prevalent in France and to re-establish some form of fons honorum after the Patriarch H.B. Cyril IX Moghabghab indicated his intention to withdraw his formal protectorship of the Order. The inter-Wars period therefore saw the administration of the Order reaching out to the Holy See to try establishing closer links. These efforts were hampered by State-Church relations relating to the Kingdom of Italy and eventually by the outbreak of the Second World War. 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z