Quote Originally Posted by mklotz View Post
Never heard of them so had to do a bit of research. In effect, they implemented an ancient form of "social distancing" during the bubonic plague.

This from an article on the web...

Plague stones are found across England, usually in the form of hollowed-out stones or boulders. They are relics of when plagues spread through the country in medieval times. Stone boulders with hollowed-out depressions, or sometimes the bases of crosses, were filled with vinegar and placed at or near parish boundaries. Vinegar was used as a disinfectant in the hope that the community could buy food and other goods without fear of contagion. The residents placed coins in the hollows to pay outsiders for goods or food which were left by the stone, hopefully avoiding the spread of the deadly disease.

Advance 500 years and we have Web shopping and home deliveries. Progress!