The Black Death
Causes What actually caused it What people believed caused it What actually caused it Contact with infected persons Sent by God as punishment Corrupted air or water or “humors” Poisoning of water by Jews Configuration of planets Warm and wet weather Bacteria found in vomit of fleas that lived on rats
Reactions Stay away from or flee areas/cities where plague exists Cut yourself off from contact with infected people, even family members Carry and inhale sweet-smelling plants or spices Repentance in hopes of salvation Prayer Wild living
Effects Use of old medical methods declines Interest in new medical ideas increases Loss of power of the Church-loss of faith in effectiveness of prayer Decline in the number of educated priests Increase in economic status of peasants- less workers = more pay Decline in power of feudal lords New technology develops from loss of labor- printing press, water mills, and windmills