Medieval Medicine- Plague

Plague

Plague= a contagious disease Epidemic= a sudden widespread appearance of an infectious disease Bubonic plague= a form of plague whose symptoms include fever, delirium                        and the formation of large buboes Pneumonic plague= a rapidly progressive and frequently fatal form of the                            plague that attacks the lungs and can spread through                            the air 

Causes of the Black Death

Invisible fumes spreading across the country Bad smells (miasma) Four Humours were out of balance God was angry not enough people going to church people behaving badly Jews had poisoned the wells and springs An earthquake in China in 1347 Planet alignment 

Spread of the Plague

poor nourishment caused weakened immunity crowded, over-populated areas lack of knowledge about illness poor disposal of bodies poor cleanliness and enforcement bad personal hygiene 

Practice Question

  Did medieval public health help or hinder the spread of the Black Death?