Medieval Public Health

Question 1

What was the Black Death? (3)

Answer 1

1. Series of plagues that lasted from 1348-93.
2. Epidemic that involved the Bubonic Plague (spread by fleas and caused buboes on the skin) and the Pneumonic Plague (airborne disease spread by coughs and sneezes that attacked the lungs causing patients to cough up blood)
3. At least 1/3 of the pop. died

Question 2

What did people believe caused the Black Death? (4)

Answer 2

1. Punishment from God
2. Imbalance of the 4 Humours
3. Miasma (bad air)
4. Alignment of the planets

Question 3

What were the attempts at curing/treating the Black Death? (4)

Answer 3

1. Flagellants - publicly whipped themselves to repent
2. Drinking mercury
3. Avoiding contact with other people and quarantining infected ares
4. Government advice to keep streets clean but it was not enforced.

Question 4

Why did the Black Death spread so quickly and why did it kill so many? (2)

Answer 4

1. Towns were extremely overcrowded

2. Poor hygiene, lack of medical knowledge and poor disposal of infected bodies.

Question 5

How did the Black Death affect the Catholic Church? (2)

Answer 5

1. Opinions of the Church soured - some clergymen were criticized for cowardice for deserting their villages
2. Lost lots of experienced clergymen