The Black Death, also known as the Black Plague, was a rapid infectious outbreak that swept over Europe and Asia in the mid-1300s resulting in the death of millions of people. Tentatively, this disease started in the Eastern parts of Asia, and it eventually made its way over to Europe by way of trade routes. Fever and “dark despair” characterized this plague. The highly contagious sickness displayed many flu-like symptoms, and the victim’s lymph nodes would quickly become infected. The contamination resulted in a colossal and rapid spread of the disease within one person’s body. Due to the lack of medical knowledge and physicians, there was little that people could do to save those dying all around them. Now that a better understanding of
Diseases have always been a threat to humans, all throughout history. One of the most destructive disease outbreaks in history was the plague outbreak which peaked in 1346 to 1353, in Europe, commonly known as the Black Death. This plague outbreak was extremely deadly and killed 30-60% of the European population at the time of the outbreak. The outbreak is commonly believed to have been caused by the bubonic plague, but modern evidence suggests that the Black Death was caused by pneumonic plague, a much more contagious and deadly infection.
The Black Death was a standout amongst the most pulverizing pandemics in mankind's history, bringing about the passings of an expected 75 to 200 million individuals. The Black Death itself brought on more than 30 percent of the populace in Europe and the Middle East. (Doc. 2). This infectious pestilence brought about its casualties to die in three days (Doc. 3). The indications of the malady included swelling under the armpits and the spitting of blood. Yet, the reactions of Christians and Muslims were distinctive, despite the fact that the same disease hit them. This essay will demonstrate how Muslims and Christians reacted differently on their thoughts and actions due to the epidemic that ended many lives.
It is impossible to discuss Europe’s history without mentioning the Plague of 1348, also known as the Black Death. The Black Death reached Italian shores in the spring of 1348. The presence of such a plague was enormously devastating making its mark in unprecedented numbers in recorded history. According to records, it is estimated to have killed a third of Europe’s population. The Black Death was caused by bacteria named Yersinia Pestis. This germ was transferred from rats to fleas and then to humans. This disease spread quickly due to the infestation of rats. Also, sanitary conditions were very poor which did not help the problem at all. When a human was infected, the bacteria moved from the bloodstream
The disastrous plague called the Black Death had monumental, long lasting effects that would ultimately change the fate of the entire continent of Europe. The mid-1300s in Europe were part of the Dark Ages. Human populations were near over-crowding, and the land was stretched to produce food. Mother Nature created a drastic solution. The world lifted a bleak shadow of death and chaos over the people of Europe in the form of plague. It originated from fleas, but rats carried the fleas with this plague across seaward trading routes from Asia. Humans were oblivious to the deadly fleas disguised in the familiar sight of the rats aboard their trading ships. The plague was an airborne disease, and it was transmittable to humans. Once one was infected, no escape option was available. The plague was characterized by black cysts on the skin, which influenced humans to later dub the plague “The Black Death”. Europe was previously suffering during the Dark Ages, but what were the Black Death’s effects on Europe? The staggering effects of the Black Death were outlined clearly in the fragility of religion, the floundering population and education, and oddly enough, a recovered and thriving economy.
The pandemic known to history as the Black Death was one of the world’s worst natural disasters in history. It was a critical time for many as the plague hit Europe and “devastated the Western world from 1347 to 1351, killing 25%-50% of Europe’s population and causing or accelerating marked political, economic, social, and cultural changes.” The plague made an unforgettable impact on the history of the West. It is believed to have originated somewhere in the steppes of central Asia in the 1330s and then spread westwards along the caravan routes. It spread over Europe like a wildfire and left a devastating mark wherever it passed. In its first few weeks in Europe, it killed between 100 and 200 people per day. Furthermore, as the weather became colder, the plague worsened, escalating the mortality rate to as high as 750 deaths per day. By the spring of 1348, the death toll may have reached 1000 a day. One of the main reasons the plague spread so quickly and had such a devastating effect on Europe was ultimately due to the lack of medical knowledge during the medieval time period.
In the wake of the plague, nobleman and religious authority figures struggled to maintain their high place in society as government leaders were unable to find an effective response to the disease, and limiting the allotment of the financial growth of the lower class, preventing them from gaining societal power, as well as increased suspicion concerning the power of the Church. Confusion and suspicion arose among followers of the church when the Church was powerless to stop this devastating diseases supposedly “sent from the heavens” (Petrach 41) . When praying and amending their sins didn’t cure themselves or their loved ones of the frightening disease, people believed that God had abandoned them, shown in these quotes taken directly from the journal of an Italian citizen who contracted the disease. “…and nowhere is there a refuge. No haven beckons in any part of the globe, nor can any hope of longed for salvation be seen. Wherever I turn my frightened eyes, their gaze is troubled by continual funerals: the churches groan encumbered with biers…”(Petrach 27-31). “… it is the wrath of God… the harsh assault of the stars in their perpetually changing conjunctions. This plague-bearing year has borne down on humankind and threatens a tearful slaughter, and the highly charged air encourages death. From his diseased heavenly pole, he looks down, and from there he rains upon the earth diseases and grievous mortality…” (Petrach 34-39). When high ranking church officials, such as
During the time of the second pandemic in Europe, most commonly known as the Black Death, religion has played a big part in people’s lives. Different views, opinions, and approaches where practiced not only by the predominant Christian culture at that time, but also by other religious sectors, such as Islam. In the books Plagues in World History and The Black Death, by John Aberth, the diverse reception, both hopeful and adverse, to the pandemic was explored and discussed for better understanding of the religious structure of the time. The aim of this paper is to examine and discuss those different religious responses and changes during the Black Death of the 14th century. This will be done by doing explaining detailed actions of different
In 1347, Europe was hit by the most deadly disease ever existed. Over the course of 2 years, 50 million people died in Europe alone, reducing the population by 66%. Over 80% of the total population in Mediterranean Europe succumbed to ‘The Pestilence’. Over 100,000,000 people died worldwide, reducing the global population by 25%. If 25% of today’s global population died, that would be 1781250000 dead, or one billion, seven hundred and eighty one million, two hundred and five thousand people. That’s over 33 times more than the population of England today! And the death didn’t stop there. People blamed ‘Gods Wrath’ on the non-Christians, which at the time in Europe were mostly Jews. 2000 Jews were slaughtered and burned during February 1349 in Strasbourg along the French-German border; this however did not stop the
A terrible disease has created catastrophe in many of the great cities on the continent, and we have heard that cases are being reported in England as well. Once it takes hold in a region, it appears that there is almost nothing one can do as the spread occurs so rapidly. The accounts of the disease are quite terrifying.
This is the very same plague that killed Europe so long ago, and it can be fatal, but it has a good prognosis when recognized and treated with
While others, were only effected by direct contact. It was thought to have been sustainable by even touching clothing or other such items of the infected. Conditions of the fourteenth century were also a contributing factor. Famine had been an arising issue due to the number of overpopulation. Because of this, their immune systems began to weaken. “Europeans were susceptible to disease because many people lived in crowded surroundings in an era when personal hygiene was not considered important” (Dowling). The cities were unsanitary and littered with germs, making it easier to sustain such diseases. Unhealthy habits were conducted and medical advances had not yet been made. Doctors themselves had not known what to advise. No prescriptions had worked. There was no cure to what was happening. Most were not even aware of what was impending upon them. Anything that could would be tried, in hopes of living. People were becoming desperate.
Good job! You have some great information. I do not have any personal experience with this disease but after doing some research and reading your post as well as others I have learned that it is a horrible disease, and I am very thankful that myself and family haven't had to deal with it. It also make you really think about taking care of
Although there isn’t much that can be done in the way of treatment, there are preventative measures that can be taken.
The disease known to humankind that I hate the most is cancer. Most of the time it doesn’t have any cure. A lot of people worry themselves about the disease they have. Cancer can have an abnormal growth of cells. Cancer treatment may include but not limited to chemotherapy, radiation, and or surgery. If cancer is caught early enough it can be diagnosed and treated. To confirm the diagnosis of cancer, sometimes a biopsy needs to be performed. Cancer diagnosis begins with a physical exam and a complete medical history. It doesn’t matter what kind of cancer it is I don’t like it. My uncle has been diagnosed with brain cancer. It has set up on his motor skills on the right side of his brain.