Diseases & Famine in Medieval Europe

Question 1

What are some differences between the Ancient Mediterranean and the Medieval Period?

Answer 1

A.M.
-long-distance trade & military campaigns
-urban centres with advanced sanitation
-sophisticated political systems
M.P. 
-more rural and agricultural
-highly fragmented political authority 
-poor sanitation & literacy

Question 2

Describe some of the baseline (endemic) conditions of the Medieval Period.

Answer 2

Endemic respiratory, gastrointestinal & childhood pathogens with a mortality rate of 3%

Question 3

What disease is caused by a vitamin D deficiency and causes the weakening of bones?

Answer 3

Rickets

Question 4

What is scurvy?

Answer 4

Deficiency in vitamin C which leads to tissues breaking apart

Question 5

What is erotism?

Answer 5

Spoiled rye caused by the ergot fungus

Question 6

What cattle plague crossed Europe in 1314-1325?

Answer 6

The Great Bovine Pestilence

Question 7

What was the possible cause of the Great Bovine Pestilence?

Answer 7

Rinderpest- related to dog distemper and human measles

Question 8

What is the term used to describe a widespread disease in sheep populations?

Answer 8

Sheep Murrain

Question 9

How are the Great Bovine Pestilence and the Great Famine connected?

Answer 9

Epizootics cause agriculture crises for the human population

Question 10

What famine that extended across all of northern and eastern Europe in 1315-1322?

Answer 10

The Great Famine

Question 11

Describe the Medieval Warm Period and its following successive events.

Answer 11

Medieval Warm Period was an increase in temperature for many years that contributed to the spread of agriculture in the form of a longer growing period. It was followed by heavy rains and crops failed for 20 years. Thousands of acres were abandoned or sold off and prices skyrocketed which led to the Great Famine and starvation.

Question 12

What is an enteric illness?

Answer 12

An intestinal illness