1. The Bubonic Plague
“The Black Death”
By Nicolette Laird

2. Basic Facts
The Bubonic Plague is caused by the bacterium yersinia pestis
It kills about 50% of infected patients in 4-7 days without treatment

3. Infections Infection of the lymphatic system
Usually resulting from a flea bite
Yersinia pestis can resist white blood cells
It can even reproduce inside the white blood cells, killing it

4. Early Symptoms Buboes: swollen lymph nodes First symptom of plague
Commonly found in armpits, groin, and neck area

5. Other Early Symptoms Fever of 101-105 degrees Headache Chills Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea (may be bloody)
Decreased appetite
Tiny broken blood vessels
Abdominal pain

6. Other Symptoms Spots on skin that are red at first and then turn black
Heavy breathing
Continuous blood vomiting
Blister at flea bite
Aching limbs and pain
This is caused by actual decay of skin while victim is still alive
Death begins when person has spasms
Swollen glands

7. Three Types of Plague Bubonic Plague: bacteria invade lymphatic system
Septicemic Plague: bacteria invade the bloodstream
Pneumonic Plague: bacteria invade the respiratory system

8. Septicemic Plague Bacterium enter bloodstream Almost always fatal
Causes massive damage to blood and circulatory system
Parts of body lose blood supply and turn black
When treated, a 40% chance of death

9. Septicemic Plague Symptoms
Chills
Fever
Severe headache
Rapid heart rate
Shock
Extreme exhaustion and fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting
Delirium
Bleeding into skin
Bleeding organs
DEATH

10. Pneumonic Plague
Caught by breathing disease from contaminated animals or humans
Damages lungs
Results in 100% death chance if not treated within the first 24 hours

11. Pneumonic Plague Symptoms
Fever
Chills
Headache
Cough
Rapid breathing
Difficulty breathing
Pneumonia
Blood in Sputum (saliva mixed with mucus in respiratory system)
Bright red sputum
Foamy red sputum
Rapid shock
DEATH

12. History First recorded in the Byzantine Empire in the 6th Century
Called the “Plague of Justinian” after the emperor who survived the epidemic

13. The Black Death Killed almost one third of the population in Europe
Believed to have originated in the Gobi Desert of China
The disease was carried by fleas and rats along trade routes

14. Path of the Black Death 1346: Reached Crimea in
1347: Spread to Constantinople
By June of 1348, the disease had spread from Italy to Paris, France
June, 1349: London, England; Liege, Belgium
1350: Hamburg, Germany

16. More recent Outbreaks 1665-1666: Great Plague of London
Last big outbreak in Europe
Second-Sino-Japanese War
Plague was used as a weapon
: Los Angeles
Last urban plague epidemic
Outbreaks still occur in rural communities

17. Treatments Many antibiotics Streptomycin: prevents protein synthesis
Gentamycin: interrupts protein synthesis
Tetracyclines: prevents protein synthesis

18. Remember the nursery rhyme?
Ring Around the Rosy
Pocket Full of Posie
Ashes! Ashes!
We all Fall down

19. It’s about the Black Death…
“Ring around the rosy”: patients had rosy red rashes in the shape of a ring
“Pocket full of Posie”: pockets and pouches were filled with sweet smelling herbs (posies) because the disease was thought to have been caused by bad smells
“Ashes! Ashes!”: the cremation of the dead bodies
The Great fire of London (1666) stopped the plague by killing all the rats
“We all fall down”: everyone died

20. Bibliography

21. The End
Is near…