Epidemics in the middle ages Flashcards
What is an epidemic?
An infectious disease that spreads and kills hundreds and thousands of people.
What was the name of the epidemic plaque in the 14th century
Black Death
How was the black plague caused?
by bacteria carried by fleas on rats
How did this black plaque spread
Rats carried the infection, fleas bite the rats then spread to the people when bitten by the fleas.
What were black death symptoms
big swelling under armpits & other parts of the body.
bacteria goes into blood and infects the lungs causing sneezing and coughing and spreading more germs.
get black bruises on the skin.
What did the doctors use to wear to try prevent catching black death?
a leather uniform which covered their bodies.
with a leather mask on their face with a hollow beak.
What did they do to prevent the plague from spreading:
name 3
Quarantine - keeping sick people from healthy people
Airing houses - where plague patients might be and fumigated them.
Removing of bodies a long way from town.
What is the purpose of the beak the doctors wore?
they were stuffed with herbs to prevent bad air from being breathed in.
Which 2 months saw the greatest death by this disease?
August and September
Why do you think the highest deaths where recorded in these months?
it was hot which meant more fleas on rats.
What nursery rhyme was sung during the black death?
Ring of Rosies
