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italian-studies: Scholarly discussions in any field of Italian studies Gentili Colleghi.

I am trying to translate (and understand) a phrase I find in a letter of Isabella d'Este to her sister-in-law, the duchess of Urbino. She says she has heard that, due to a decline in health, the duke of Urbino has had himself "dare el foco alla testa" and that this treatment produced a notable improvement.

What could it have meant to "darsi fuoco alla testa"? 

Many thanks for any references you can provide. 


Deanna Shemek
Professor, Italian and Comparative Literature

Mail: Cowell College Academic Service Center
University of California, Santa Cruz
1156 High Street, Santa Cruz CA 95064
Tel. 831/459-2609 (messages)
Fax 831/459-4880








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