The Black Death Flashcards
How many died as a result of the Black Death?
Between 75-200 million people. Including 50% of China and 30-40% of Europe.
How do scholars think the disease travelled from Europe from Asia?
Through vermin (rats), as they carried fleas which had and spread the disease.
How would the rats have transported between countries so easily?
As they were often found on ships, so could easily spread after coming to land.
Between what years did the plague last?
Arrived in 1346, and finally died out in 1553. However it would still resurface on occasions until the 1800’s.
What were common symptoms of the Bubonic plague?
Sudden coldness
Buboes (swellings in armpits and groins)
Tiredness
Blisters
What followed the symptoms of the Bubonic plague?
Unconsciousness
High fever
Then death
What were the symptoms of the pneumonic plague?
Coughing up blood- often killing them within 48 hours.
To begin with how were bodies buried? How did this change?
Bodies were firstly buried neatly in their own coffins; however after a while there were so many bodies, that bodies were thrown into big pits filled with quicklime to help them rot quickly.
What did people commonly blame for causing the Black Death?
Astrologists blames alignments of the planets
The church claimed the Black Death was Gods punishment for society being so corrupt.
What did the people who believed the plague was a punishment from god do in hope of being treated?
Stayed in infected areas, but prayed for forgiveness from God for their sins that had supposedly lead to the plague.
What were flagellants?
People who went from town to town seeking God’s forgiveness by publicly whipping themselves
Which religious minority was also blamed for the Black Death?
Christians blames the Jewish population for poisoning wells in order to wipe out Christianity. As a result hundreds of Jews were killed across Europe.
What were common “cures” English people were encouraged to use?
Strapping live chickens to their buboes, eating rotten treacle and carry around sweet smelling flowers/ herbs in a posy to stop the “miasma”
What were some public health measures that proved effective?
Throughout Europe there were strict rules established about travel
Venice set up a quarantine to stop ships suspected of carrying plague, of entering.
