Case Study: Dealing with the Black Death Flashcards
What attempts were made to treat the disease?
In some cases, none. People believed it was God’s intention for the world to suffer.
Trying a mix of herbs and herbal remedies like myrrh and therica.
Bleeding the buboes that appeared on the skin.
What attempts were made to stop its spread?
Praying and fasting.
Attempts to purify the air like lighting fires on street corners.
Due to the belief in bad air, the local authorities stopped cleaning the streets as they believed the foul stench of rubbish and rotting bodies would drive away the plague.
Eventually Quarantine laws were put in place after the outbreak had already started, where whole villages would shut themselves away. But these laws were not compulsory.
People would carry herbs and spices with them so that they were surrounded by good smells and good air.
