Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was a common belief about the cause of the plague during the time it occurred?
What was a common belief about the cause of the plague during the time it occurred?
- It was caused by poor sanitation.
- It was a result of bacterial infection.
- It was a punishment from God or a demon. (correct)
- It was spread through contaminated water sources.
The doctors during the Black Death era possessed advanced knowledge of medical treatments for the disease.
The doctors during the Black Death era possessed advanced knowledge of medical treatments for the disease.
False (B)
Besides flea bites, what is another way the disease could spread?
Besides flea bites, what is another way the disease could spread?
airborn
The first symptom of contracting the Black Death is a ______ on the neck, groin, or armpit.
The first symptom of contracting the Black Death is a ______ on the neck, groin, or armpit.
Match the following stages/aspects of the Black Death with their descriptions:
Match the following stages/aspects of the Black Death with their descriptions:
How did the mortality rate affect the population in Europe?
How did the mortality rate affect the population in Europe?
Richer people were less likely to contract the plague due to better hygiene.
Richer people were less likely to contract the plague due to better hygiene.
What initially transported the Black Death from China to Western Europe?
What initially transported the Black Death from China to Western Europe?
After contracting the Black Death, death was likely within ______ days due to the severity of the illness.
After contracting the Black Death, death was likely within ______ days due to the severity of the illness.
Which of the following actions was NOT suggested as a cure or prevention during the Black Death?
Which of the following actions was NOT suggested as a cure or prevention during the Black Death?
Flashcards
Origin of the Black Death
Origin of the Black Death
The Black Death, also known as the bubonic plague, first emerged in China.
How did the Black Death spread?
How did the Black Death spread?
The disease spread via rats climbing on ships and carriages from China.
First European outbreak
First European outbreak
The plague first broke out in Europe in Italy in 1347.
Spread via trade
Spread via trade
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Disease transmission
Disease transmission
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Medical knowledge
Medical knowledge
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Black Death mortality rate
Black Death mortality rate
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Cures of the Black Death
Cures of the Black Death
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Hygiene and Black Death
Hygiene and Black Death
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First symptom
First symptom
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Study Notes
- The Black Death, also known as the bubonic plague, initially emerged in China in 1331.
- The disease spread to Western Europe via rats on ships or carriages, traveling with trade goods from China.
- The first European outbreak occurred in Italy in 1347.
- Within two years, the plague had spread throughout Western Europe due to trade between cities.
- People once thought the plague was divine punishment or caused by a demon entering the body.
- The black rat is known to be responsible for the disease.
- Infected fleas bite rats, causing the bacillus (bacteria) to multiply.
- Fleas transmit the bacteria to humans by vomiting it into the human body when biting.
- Limited medical knowledge at the time meant doctors were unsure how to treat the sickness.
- Available cures and preventions included draining buboes, leeching, "Jew hats" worn by doctors, isolation, and self-inflicted penance.
- Sanitation was not considered, and unsanitary streets attracted rats and fleas, causing the disease to spread rapidly.
- Primarily, the disease spread through flea bites, though it was sometimes airborne.
- Anyone could contract the disease, but richer individuals were less vulnerable due to better hygiene.
- The first sign is growth in the neck, groin, or armpit.
- The second stage involves black splotches from bleeding under the skin, followed by coughing and spitting up blood.
- Death typically occurred within 2-3 days of contracting the disease.
- The mortality rate was 35-70%.
- During the first outbreak (1347-1351), it is estimated that 1/4 of the population of Western Europe died, and up to 2/3 in total.
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