blog #3

Amber Wyatt

History 101-04

October 19, 2011

amberwyatt.blogspot.com

The Black Death

            Between 1347-1350, Europe was faced with one of history’s most notable and devastating illness:

the Bubonic Plague. The plague, also referred to as the Black Death, had left Europe’s population on their

death beds with no cure nor reason. This crippling illness had forever altered and scarred the European

population.

             Researchers have found that this medical crisis was caused by flea infested rats. These infested fleas

would come in contact with humans thus beginning the onset of the plague. Symptoms of the Black Death

included “high fevers, aching limbs, and vomiting of blood“ (Knox). The most notable characteristic was the

swelling of the lymph nodes. The swelling would “protrude and become easily visible; its blackish coloring

gave the disease its name: the Black Death” (Knox). The whole process, from the first symptoms of fever and

 aches, to final expiration, lasted only three or four days. “The swiftness of the disease, the terrible pain, the

grotesque appearance of the victims, all served to make the plague especially terrifying” (Knox).

             With no cure readily available, Europeans began to take desperate measures. Many turned to

aromatherapy because it was thought that the disease was transmitted upon the air. “People burned all manner

 of incense: juniper, laurel, pine, beech, lemon leaves, rosemary, camphor, sulfur and others. Handkerchiefs

were dipped in aromatic oils, to cover the face when going out” (Knox). The cure of sound was another

proposed remedy of the time. “Towns rang church bells to drive the plague away. Other towns fired cannons,

 which were new and which made comfortingly loud din“ (Knox).

         Yet, the only effective remedy was quarantine. Citizens would simply avoid the sick and stay far enough

 away in hopes of containing the illness. Avoiding the sick was “a natural enough instinct“ for people during

this time (Knox).

       Ultimately, over 25 million lives were lost due to the Black Death (Knox). The loss of life in such great

numbers and to such gruesome disease brought despair everywhere.  After the plague had taken its toll upon

 Europe, death became a staple subject in art, literature, and other work forms.  The tone of despair, brought

 on by this horrific illness, is forever echoed in the history of the European Middle Ages.

References

Knox, E.L. Skip. "The Middle Ages: The Black Death." Boise State University, n.d. Web.
            19 Oct 2011. <http://boisestate.edu/courses/westciv/plague/>.