The disease that caused the black death or black plague in Europe first appeared in the early 1300s in Asia. Some people in Europe were aware of the disease at this time but it had not yet been seen in Europe.
Black Death or Bubonic plague is caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis and gets its name from the black pustules that form during the disease. These pustules appeared at the lymph nodes of the armpit and groin area. However, bubonic plague is not the only disease caused by Y. pestis. Septicemic plague, which is a blood infection, and pneumonic plague which affects the lungs and respiratory system are also caused by this bacteria. All three types of plague were likely responsible for deaths during the European outbreak in the 1300s.
When we discuss how the Black Plague spread through Europe we need to define two things: How did the plague arrive in Europe? (i.e. who or what was the vector to bring plague from Asia to Europe) and What was the progression through the different types of plague as it spread from its starting point in Europe to the rest of the continent?
The very first recording of this disease in Europe occurred in Kaffa (now called Feodosiya) a city in the Ukraine on the Black Sea coast. This city came under attack by Tartar's from Asia, approx 1347. The besieged city was happy to see their attackers dying in droves. The happiness was short-lived when the Tarters started catapulting their dead over the city wall. The Tarters thought the smell of the decaying bodies would break the siege. When the dying Tarters fled the people of Kaffa also fled to Sicily. Thus the black plague came to Europe from Asia.
 |
| From Eyewitness History |
It is believed that the plague began its spread human to human via the septicemic (direct contact) method but later moved to the other forms as the plague spread. There were a number of ways the bacteria spread during the Black Death event including via the air through coughing, fleas who were carrying the disease from rats and then biting humans, physical contact with the dead and dying as well as other methods. At its peak, it is believed that the plague was traveling 2-3 miles per day across Europe from the original site.
No one at the time was really sure how the plague was spreading quarantines were common as were people fleeing to other areas (which helped it spread faster if those who had contact fled). In coming ships were kept in quarantine off shore for 30 or more days to try and ensure the disease wasn't being carried. The only thing that was known for sure at the time was that the Black Death was very contagious and people died within days of the symptoms.
Many causes and ways to avoid the plague were written about. Causes were everything from bad air to the Jewish population with avoidance ranging from herbs and incense to not bathing and more.
By 1352 most areas of Europe were no longer plagued by the Black Death. In the 5 years it ravaged Europe, the Black Death spread to every corner of Europe, devastated the population and nearly crashed the entire economy of Europe. Approximately 1/3 or 20 million people died in those 5 years.
Resources:
http://www.history.com/topics/black-death
http://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/black-death.htm
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/plague.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment