1. How far had medicine come by the 1665 plague outbreak?
In this lesson we will:
Explain ways in which beliefs about the plague were similar and different in the 14th and 17th centuries D B
Starter: For each part of the plague doctor outfit explain why it was worn.
Challenge: Try to link it to beliefs about the cause of the disease.
A- Plague mask, stuffed with herbs to mask the bad smells of the plague (miasmic theory)
B- Glasses to stop any blood or vomit getting into the eyes.
C- Cane so the doctor can examine the patient without touching them e.g. lifting up clothes/sheets etc.
D- Leather gloves smeared with wax to stop any liquid soaking in and coming into contact with skin.
E- Thick robes smeared with wax (same as above) C E

2. How did they try to treat this disease?
Due to the use of quarantine, not many sources exist of treatments.
Much like in 1348, recipes for herbal remedies were popular. They took the form of medicines and various rubs.. One such remedy was ‘plague water’ which was made up of various fruits and spices mixed with white wine. It would be left for 3 days and then consumed.
Due to the belief in transference, people were encouraged to strap chickens and toads to them to help draw out the poison.
Lancing was still used, but was combined with transference to chicken feathers were used to cut the buboe.

4. How did they try to prevent this disease?
The College of Physicians recommended prayer and repentance (flatulence)
Quarantine was massively used during this period much more than in Anyone infected was removed to a Pest House for 40 days. The door would be painted with a red cross. After the 40 days, they door was painted with a white cross and they would have to stay there for a further 20 days whilst the house was purified and the walls washed in lime.
Due to belief in miasmic theory, people were encouraged to carry round a pomander (small ball of perfume).
Plague doctors still wore masks stuffed with herbs, as well as thick robes and gloves smeared in wax to stop blood soaking in,

5. What did the government do to prevent and contain the disease?
Local authorities and monarchy did more. Charles II decreed a list of actions to try to stop the spread of the disease.
Local governments enforced the King’s laws strictly – public meetings, fairs and large funerals were outlawed. Theatres were closed.
Streets and alleyways were swept and cleaned. Carts would go round to collect the bodies to keep them off the streets.
Large fires were set to burn on street corners often in barrels of tar. They would be filed with sweet smelling herbs.
Cats, dogs and pigeons were killed if they were seen on the street. In England over 200,000 cats and 40,000 dogs were killed.
People were encouraged to run away – thousands migrated from the cities to the country which helped the disease spread.

6. 17th Century (Renaissance) Similarities Differences
14th Century (Medieval)
17th Century (Renaissance)
Similarities
Differences
Beliefs about cause of the disease
God punishing mankind (hence why people prayed and Flagellants would whip themselves)
God punishing mankind (hence why Royal College encouraged prayer, as well as painting cross on doors of infected + bible verses)
Ways of treating the plague
Ways of preventing the plague

7. Checkpoint: Can you explain one way in which beliefs about the plague were similar in the 14th and 17th centuries?