Renaissance Public Health

Question 1

What was the Great Plague? (2)

Answer 1

1. Major epidemic of the Bubonic plague lasting from 1665-66

2. Killed 20% of London’s population

Question 2

What did people believe caused the Great Plague? (4)

Answer 2

1. Divine punishment
2. Alignment of the planets
3. Miasma
4. Imbalance of the Four Humours

Question 3

What were the attempts at treating those affected? (2)

Answer 3

1. Based on superstition - e.g. strapping live chickens to victims was believed to transfer the disease to the chicke
2. Based on miasma - burning fires for better smells and carrying around pockets full of posies

Question 4

What was done to prevent the spread? (4)

Answer 4

1. Councils were more organised - “Women searchers” were paid to identify the sick
2. Victims were quarantined and watchmen were sent to enforce this
3. More scientific approach than the Black Death - weekly bills of mortality were recorded, some ppl realized a link between dirt and disease
4. Poor disposal of bodies (buried and not burned)