1. The Black
DEATH

2. What was it?
'The Black Death', or 'Black Plague' refers to a pandemic that came from Central Asia and spread to Europe in the 1300s through trade
Between 30% and 60% of Europe's population was wiped out!
There were additional until The Black Death largely died out around the 19th Century

3. Origins? This is why we don't touch dead things Yersina Pestis
Bacteria
in soil
Y. Pestis
multiplies in flea stomach
Fleas infest
rat (or other carrier animal) rat brings fleas to people
Contact with animal corpse transmits
Y. Pestis
Flea bites rat
and transmits/
contracts
Y. Pestis
Rat dies
from plague
This is why we
don't touch
dead things

4. Blocked fleas
When flea bites, it vomits bacteria into the victim while trying to ingest blood
Flea's digestive system fills with bacteria and flea becomes 'blocked'

5. Other theories...
It’s possible that fleas could transmit infections without being 'blocked’
Poor sanitary conditions and poor health in general made it easier for The Black Death to spread, as well as spread from person to person disease rather than just flea to person
The first outbreak of any new disease tends to be more devastating as no one has developed immunity
Pneumonic plague is transmitted via saliva droplets (either air borne or on surfaces) produced during coughing - it cannot be transmitted via flea bites the way Bubonic and Septicaemic Plague can be

6. pus and blood that leak and rupture
Bubonic Plague
Signs and symptoms:
Buboes - bacteria in lymphatic system
Fever
Headache
Vomiting
Aching joints
Death usually within 4-8 days of infection
Mortality rate up to 75%
BUBOES:
lymph nodes
filled with
pus and blood that leak and rupture

7. Pneumonic Plague Signs and symptoms: Bacteria in respiratory system
bacteria laden lung tissue
Signs and symptoms:
Bacteria in respiratory system
Fever
Cough
Bloody sputum (mucus in lungs)
Death within 3-4 days of infection
Mortality rate of 95%
bloody
sputum

8. Septicaemic Plague Signs and symptoms:
bacteria in
blood
Signs and symptoms:
Bacteria straight to blood stream
High fever
Purpura - skin discolouration
Blood clots
Death usually within 24 hours
Mortality rate
close to 100%
discolouration
from bleeding
into skin

9. Treatment
People believed The Plague was carried through 'vapours' in the air so they used scented objects such as handkerchief and posies to try to prevent infection (This is where the nursery rhyme ‘Ring a Ring o’ Roses’ came from!)
Lanced buboes - BAD PLAN - exposed caretakers to bacteria and made sick people sicker
Tried to treat people with a range of charms, talismans and 'medicines' (such as liquor and laxatives) many of which made patients worse
Sound was thought to help cure the disease, hence the ringing of church bells
'Experts' suggested preventative treatments like thinking positive thoughts, avoiding chicken and fish, or even not bathing
Really, no one had any idea how to deal with it - avoiding contact with sick and dead was the best they could manage

10. Plague Doctor leather hat for protection,
beak filled with perfumed materials,
red lenses to protect eyes from evil,
resemblance to bird linked to idea
that birds carried the disease
waxed robes to keep 'vapours'
out, or coated in animal fat to draw illness to doctor, with leather breeches underneath - trying to protect groin, armpits and neck where buboes were known to appear
leather gloves protected
against transmission through
contact with diseased people
"thas here's ma pokin' stick"
used to inspect, make directions
or even beat people away
long leather boots protected
feet and lower legs

11. What would happen if...
a pandemic like this occurred today?

12. Recommended reading http://www.insecta-inspecta.com/fleas/bdeath/