Bubonic Plague

The Bubonic Plague, or Black Death, swept through Europe in the 1400s, killing estimately 25 million people. If not treated, the Bubonic Plague kills within 4 days of infection. Because the plague killed so many workers, wages rose and some historians believe this to be a turning point in European economic development. After being transmitted by the bite of an infected flea the bacteria become localized in an inflamed lymph nodes where they colonize and multiply. Toes, fingers, lips, and tips of noses usually turn black when one has it, hence the name Black Death. Chills, muscle cramps, heavy breathing, nonstop vomiting of blood, seizures, and smooth, painful lymph gland swelling called a bubo, commonly found in the groin, armpits, or neck, most often at the site of the bite or scratch. Pain may occur in the area before the swelling appears and skin colour changes to a pinkish colour in some extreme cases. In the Late Middle Ages (1340–1400) Europe had the worst outbreak in history when the Black Death hit Europe in 1347, killing a third of the human population. It’s believed that society became more violent as the and thus increased warfare, crime, revolts, and persecution. The Black Death originated in China and spread to Italy and then throughout the rest of Europe. There were many beliefs on how to prevent, or avoid getting, the Black Death. One of the most popular ideas was to walk around with flowers in or near their noses so they could “ward off the stench and perhaps the evil that afflicted them.” Since they didn't have the knowledge to understand the plague, people believed the plague was a punishment from God and that the only way to get rid of the plague was to be forgiven by Him. One method they used was to carve a cross on the front door of their house with the words “Lord have mercy on us.” Pistoia, Italy, went as far as making rules for the city and its people to keep it safe from the Black Death. The rules were that no one was allowed to visit any plagued area and if they did they were not allowed to come back. Other rules were that no linen or goods made of wool were to be brought into the city and no corpses could be buried in the city. However, despite the strict enforcement of the rules, the city did become infected. People who were not infected, gathered in groups and stayed away from the sick people. They ate/drank with limited food and water and weren't allowed to talk because it would increase the chance of passing on the disease. And they obviously didn’t want to do that! Even today, all around the world, the Bubonic Plague continues to take the lives of people, but it is not nearly as bad as it was in medieval Europe.

Article by Kerigan Geerts