The Great Plague Flashcards
How many people did the plague kill in London
100,000 in cities inhabitants
Conditions of the people in alleys
Cramped, damp, 30 families courtyard, squeezed muddy chickens round three more animals and people lower class
What was the London like in the winter of 1664
London was driving population had increased three times in 60 years crowded streets, like sewers immigration from countryside
When was the first outbreak of the plague noted and what did the privy council order?
Ordered infected house be shut up healthy with sick noted with a red cross on the door
How many people have fled London by the summer?
200,000. You needed a certificate of health to lead the cities boundaries as people infected fled causing human fuel for the epidemic.
Early precautions when first plague cases confirmed
Closure of pubs socialbility , massacre of dogs and cats as the vapours were suspected of clinging to their fur coats, patrolling infected houses,
Signs and symptoms of the plague
Bubonic plague-Dark swelling in the armpit,groin or neck. Fever headache chills and weakness painful lymph nodes( buboes)
Pneumonic plague- rapidly developing shortness of breath, chest pain cough ,invariably fatal unless treated early.
Plague orders
Shut up the house, quarantine for 40 days, nurse care and food, searchers to confirm the plague, constable and watchmen on guard, foot long Red Cross marked
Treatments on offer
Rich- royal college and physicians published recipes, unicorns horn, brandy, Madeira(opiate)
Poor- arsenic amulets, rosemary and pomanders , smoking or chewing tobacco
Proposals the House of Lords
No member of lords should be confined and shut up, no plague hospital built near” persons of note and quality”
Issues with shutting victims up
Breeds the plague, neighbours imprisoned alongside,family exposed to sick
Pest houses
Hospitals which isolated the infectious sick, remained distance with healthy, only 5 built in London, outside city walls, unsupported by government,staffed by unqualified nurses.
Number of plague victims in 1665
7000 per weak
Costume worn by apothecaries when trying to cure victims of plague
Leather hat , masks with glass eyes and a beak stick to remove clothed of plague victim, waxed linen robe ,to ward off infection thick waxy leather with strong smelling herbs in beak
Comparison with Black Death( Middle Ages 1100) and the plague(1660) CAUSES
Black Death- gods punishment, unbalanced humours, planets were misaligned (astrology) miasma, lepers poisoning water sources, looking at someone with plague who’s contaminated contracting disease
The plague-rich believed it was the poor who spread it, miasma imbalance of humours, movement of planets, astrology, rotting waste and stagnant water, planets influence illness, animals coats clung to vapours , contact with others socialbility,
