The BlackThe Black Plague in Plague in EuropeEurope

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Spread of the PlagueSpread of the Plague

Black rats carried fleas that were infested Black rats carried fleas that were infested with with Yersina pestis Yersina pestis (a bacteria)(a bacteria)

Fleas were transferred from rats to peopleFleas were transferred from rats to people Medieval people did not bathe; most had fleas Medieval people did not bathe; most had fleas

and lice alreadyand lice already Garbage and sewage were thrown into the Garbage and sewage were thrown into the

streets, which became a breeding ground for streets, which became a breeding ground for ratsrats

Rats traveled along trade routes, Rats traveled along trade routes, spreading the plague throughout Europe spreading the plague throughout Europe and Asiaand Asia

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Victims of the PlagueVictims of the Plague

Took four years to reach all of EuropeTook four years to reach all of Europe 50 – 75% of those infected with the plague 50 – 75% of those infected with the plague

dieddied Almost 25 million in EuropeAlmost 25 million in Europe Victims were buried in mass gravesVictims were buried in mass graves Some villages were completely desertedSome villages were completely deserted Black PlagueBlack Plague

Returned every few yearsReturned every few years Never as severeNever as severe Still a few cases each yearStill a few cases each year

BubonicBubonic swollen, tender lymph swollen, tender lymph

nodesnodes NeckNeck GroinGroin armpitsarmpits

bacterial infection in the bacterial infection in the lymph nodeslymph nodes

affects immune systemaffects immune system spread only through fleasspread only through fleas Fatality – 30-75% of Fatality – 30-75% of

cases (after 4 days of cases (after 4 days of infection)infection)

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SepticemicSepticemic bleeding under the skin or bleeding under the skin or

in organsin organs bacterial infection of the bacterial infection of the

bloodblood Causes gangrene in the Causes gangrene in the

extremitiesextremities spread only through fleasspread only through fleas can appear as a can appear as a

complication of untreated complication of untreated bubonic or pneumonic bubonic or pneumonic plagueplague

Fatality – 95% of cases Fatality – 95% of cases (after 2-3 days of (after 2-3 days of infection)infection)

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PneumonicPneumonic

bloody or watery discharge bloody or watery discharge from respiratory systemfrom respiratory system

bacterial infection of the bacterial infection of the lungslungs

can be spread person to can be spread person to personperson

if bubonic or septicemic if bubonic or septicemic plague is left untreated, it plague is left untreated, it can spread to lungscan spread to lungs

Fatality – 95% of cases Fatality – 95% of cases (same day as infection)(same day as infection)

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Attempted CuresAttempted Cures Doctors did not understand how the Doctors did not understand how the

plague was spreadplague was spread poisonous fogpoisonous fog Jews or lepers poisoned the wellsJews or lepers poisoned the wells Astrological alignmentsAstrological alignments EarthquakesEarthquakes Glances from sick peopleGlances from sick people

Told people to…Told people to… Stay away from noxious airStay away from noxious air Bleed or purge themselvesBleed or purge themselves Keep bodily humors balanced (blood, yellow Keep bodily humors balanced (blood, yellow

bile, black bile and phlegm)bile, black bile and phlegm)

Effects of the PlagueEffects of the Plague Town populations fellTown populations fell Trade declined, and prices of goods roseTrade declined, and prices of goods rose Serfs left the manor in search of better wagesSerfs left the manor in search of better wages Nobles resisted peasants’ demands for higher Nobles resisted peasants’ demands for higher

wageswages Peasant revolts in England, France, Italy and BelgiumPeasant revolts in England, France, Italy and Belgium

Jews were blamed for the plagueJews were blamed for the plague Driven from the homes, or brutally attackedDriven from the homes, or brutally attacked

Church suffered from loss of prestigeChurch suffered from loss of prestige Prayers failed to stop the plaguePrayers failed to stop the plague Priests abandoned their dutiesPriests abandoned their duties

Appearance of flagellantsAppearance of flagellants

• refers to the Great Plague in London (1665) •Some believe it may even have references to the plague in the 1300s

• “Ring Around the Rosy” - The symptoms of the plague included a rosy red rash in the shape of a ring on the skin• “Pockets Full of Posies” - were filled with sweet smelling herbs ( or posies) which were carried due to the belief that the disease was transmitted by bad smells. • “Ashes, Ashes” - refers to the cremation of the dead bodies •“We All Fall Down” - The death rate was over 60% and the plague was only halted by the Great Fire of London in 1666 which killed the rats carrying the disease

http://www.rhymes.org.uk/ring_around_the_rosy.htm

Ring around the Rosy

Today’s AssignmentToday’s Assignment

Orange groupOrange group – compare and contrast – compare and contrast the three types of the Black Plaguethe three types of the Black Plague

Green groupGreen group – create a graphic organizer – create a graphic organizer that explains the effects of the Black that explains the effects of the Black PlaguePlague

Blue GroupBlue Group – read the Introduction from – read the Introduction from the Decameron and answer the attached the Decameron and answer the attached questionsquestions