Black Plague hits Europe The Black Death Black Plague hits Europe Produced by Mr. Markowski
“Ring Around the Rosies”: A Plague Chant!!!! A pocket full of posies Achoo! Achoo! We all fall down.
Medieval Artist’s Painting of the Plague
Disaster Strikes Estimated population of Europe from 1000 to 1352. 1000 38 million 1100 48 million 1200 59 million 1300 70 million 1347 75 million 1352 50 million
Path of the Plague
The Culprits
Black Rats brought the plague from Asia
Fleas on Rats Carried the Plague
The Plague Cycle
The Plague Struck All Social Levels
Three Types of Plague Bubonic--most common; last about 1 week Pneumonic--infected lungs; last about 2 days Septicaemic--gets into bloodstream; last just hours
Bubonic Plague Most common form Buboes = enlarged lymphatic glands Fever, vomiting, headaches, etc. 1-7 days to appear Mortality rate: 30-75%
Buboes
Pneumonic Form Second most common Infected the lungs Coughing up blood Mortality Rate: 90-95%
Medieval Art & the Plague Bring out your dead!
Septicaemic Form Most rare form Blood directly infected Skin turns deep purple or black; high fever Die same day you get it Mortality Rate: close to 100%
Theories on How the Plague Spread Religious Theory: God spread it as punishment Death From Space Theory: Earth passed through a space cloud Trade Route Theory: started on the coasts and spread inland
Fighting the Plague Clean up Isolate the Sick & the Dead “Religious” Remedies “Medical” Remedies “Escape” to the Countryside
Attempts to Stop the Plague Flagellanti: Self-inflicted “penance” for our sins!
Attempts to Stop the Plague Pograms against the Jews “Golden Circle” obligatory badge “Jew” hat
Medieval Medicine
Plague “Doctor”
Quack! Quack!
Death Triumphant !: A Major Artistic Theme
Early Germ Warfare Bodies of Plague victims were catapulted into enemy camps to spread the disease
The Dance of Death
Plague Outbreaks Occur Until 1670
Results of the Black Death on Europe At least 1/3 of the population of Europe was dead by 1350 (more outbreaks occur until 1670 but never as severe) Economic Problems: Feudal System failing Example: What happens when # of workers goes down? Peasant Revolts
Population Chart of Europe: 1000-1700
Why did the Black Plague vanish by 1670? Better housing and hygiene Brown rats overrun the Black rats New bacteria gives some immunity