Black Death

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HYGEINE

- People knew there was a link between filth and disease, but they could not explain what the link was!

- London was the largest city, and had the biggest problems

- In the 13th century lead pipes (paid for by the city authorits and from money given by individuals) were laid to provide water from the River Tyburn, however there was leaks, the water was contaminated and the supply was not enough for the city. Even when water was brought from a water seller there was no guarantee that it would be clean. The quality of water was so poor that very few people drank it, most drank ale instead.

- Animal and human excrement was common in the street, rubbish was not removed and butchers slaughtered animals and left the remains in the street.

- Laws (although regulary passed, especially in the time of the diseas) had limited effect, the systems were to undeveloped to deal with the problem.

- Although there were lots of public toilets people sometimes just relieved themselves in the street.

- Rich people often had good standards of hygiene and would bathe in a wooden tub, and had a separate toilet (privy) kept away from living areas.

- Many houses belonging to merchants and bishops had lead pipes for a water supply, latrines and stone sewers.

- Monks and nuns lived simple lives, however the standard of hygiene in monastries and covents was usually high. There would be fresh water piped to the building and the latrines were usually built over running water, which would take away human waste

- Town councils recognised the importance of public health. Southhamptom improved its water supply in the 15th century after a merchant left a bequestor that purpose. London, Exter and Brositol has supplies of fresh water running through pipes or conduits to the city.

- There were large baths known as stewes, where people bathed together in large woden tubs. Among the rich this could be a very social occasion with food and drink being shared. However public stewes were often denounced by the church for immoral behaviour.

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TYPES OF PLAGUE AND ITS HOSTS

- Bubonic Plague

* Bloody Pussy Buboes, Fever, Chills, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Bad Aches and Pains, Swelling in the Lymphnodes

* Attacks the Lymphatic System, Very adaptive so it can avoid the attacking Lymphanodes

- Neumonic Plague

* Shortness of Breath, Chest Pain, Cough, Fever, Headache, Weakness

- Septiceamic Plague

* Purple Blothces on skin, Fever, Chills, Weakness, Abdominal Pain

YERSINIA PESTIS

- Discovered by Alexandre Yersin

- Bacteria that cause the Bubonic Plague if transmitted by a bite, the Pneumonic Plague if caught by transmition through the air and Septicemic Plague when Plague Bacteria Multiply in the blood

- Black rats (Rattus rattus) carried the fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis) which carried Yersinia Pestis

- The fleas could survive up to a month without a host

- Fleas are only acirve at temperatures of 15-20 degrees Celciusith 90-95% humidity, so most outbreaks only occured in late summer and early autumn

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HOW AND WHERE IT ORIGINATED AND THE SPREAD

- Believed to have originated in the Gobi Desert of Central Asia in the 1320's

- It spread Westwards to China where it emerged in the 1330's

- Black Plague was futher caused by:

* Overcrowding and increasing population, Poor sanitation, Filfthy towns/streets, It was highly Infectious

- It was spread by:

* Expanding trade routes and the Silk Road, Mongol Invaders, Merchants (travelling by both road and ship), Ships, War.

- By 1346 tales of a strange disease that left parts of India and China dying

- Reached Southern Italy by December 1347, major trading ports Pisa and Genoa had outbreaks

- 60% of the population of Venice (Italy) died

- By 1348 The Black Death was reported in the major France port Marseilles, where the mortality rate was thought to be about 60%

- It quicky spread through France then it spread to: Belgium, the Netherlands, Scandinaviand even Iceland and Greenland

- Historians believe that a combination of the Plague and poor climatic conditions wiped out the whole population of Greenland

- Historians believe the plague was brought to England aboard French and Italian ships in September 1348

- Africas Mediterraneon coastal Sea Ports were also affected. Alexandria, Egypt was one of the first to become infected in 1347, by 1348 the Black Death had spread to the whole of Northern Africa

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MEDIEVAL BLACK PLAGUE TREATMENT AND HOW THEY TRIED TO PREVENT IT

- Blood Letting, Tools inclcude: Fleam, Leeches and a Bowl

- Poisons to cause Vomiting

- Cutting off Buboes

- Herbs and Potions made by a Apothecarist

- Using Snuff Boxes with nice smelling things inside in order to get rid of Myasma (foul smell)

- Flagellants: Fundemental christians that went around whipping themselves or others with the cat of 9 tails as they believed the Black Death was God punishing humanity)

- Social Distancing

- No more funerals/ other big gatherings

- Burning Bodys and their Clothing

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EFFECT THE BLACK PLAGUE HAD

- 30-40% of Europe died, Africa, Middle East, India and East Africa also suffered.

- 200 million people died worldwide, the population then was 500 million

- Massive effect on Economy