c1250-c1500: Dealing with the Black Death

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

Black Death spread from Eastern trade routes to England in 1348. It was an outbreak of bubonic plague spread by rats who arrived on ships with merchants.

Question 2

Symptoms

Answer 2

chest pains and breathing troubles
fever
sneezing and coughing up blood
boils and black buboes appearing the groin and armpits

Question 3

Causes - Religious and supernatural

Answer 3

Many believed it was caused by God deserting mankind.

There was also an unusual positioning of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn at the time.

Question 4

Causes - Natural causes

Answer 4

Miasma in the air (from earthquakes and volcanoes) caused an imbalance of humours

Question 5

Causes - Common beliefs

Answer 5

Blamed the Jewish population

Question 6

Treatments - Supernatural

Answer 6

Ask God for forgiveness

Question 7

Treatments - Natural

Answer 7

Tried humoural treatments but did not work.

Prescribed strong herbs which were thought to have cleansing properties.

Question 8

Prevention - Supernatural

Answer 8

pray to God and fast
go on a pilgrimage and make offerings to God
penance

Question 9

Prevention - Natural means

Answer 9

Escape from the plague by going somewhere with clean air.

Holding flowers and herbs to your nose meant you were not breathing in miasma.

Question 10

Prevention - Common beliefs

Answer 10

Doing joyful things and keeping happy, e.g. listening to music and keeping away from depressing things.

Question 11

Prevention - Government action

Answer 11

Quarantining stopped the spread of the disease.

They also discouraged large Church gatherings since the disease spread fastest in crowded areas.