1. Do now Where did you learn to wash your hands?
When should you wash your hands?
Why do you wash your hands at those times?

2. Bubonic Plague
Ms. Baquedano

3. What was it?
Symptoms: Fever, vomiting, violent coughing and sneezing, and lumps called buboes.
Also called “The Black Death” due to the black lumps on skin

4. When?
Started in 1346
Came back every decade (10 years) until the 15th century (1400’s)

5. Where? Presumed to have begun in Central Asia
Disease traveled along the silk road to Europe
Carried to Italy by ship

6. How? Merchants traveling in close proximity spread germs quickly
Living conditions in medieval homes (dark, damp, dirty) contributed to the spread
Fleas could spread it by blood, rats infested towns (think how close homes were)
Streets were filled with trash, human waste, or dead animals

7. Why did it get so bad?
Medieval doctors did not exist, or were poorly trained
Due to Christian beliefs, people were not allowed to do research on human bodies
Dirty conditions made disease spread
Superstition and prejudice also played a part…

8. Jews and the plague
Because no one knew how the sickness spread, society blamed Jews
Many said the Jews were cursing Christians and said they were evil

9. Impact ½ of China’s population died
24 million Europeans died – 1/3 of the population
So many died, there was no labor force to keep feudalism going
(remember, the biggest group of people was the lowest – peasants)
The few workers left could demand more money and rights