Work Cited

Works Cited

Bingham, Jane. Usborne World History. Ed. Fiona Chandler. London: Usborne, 1997. Print.

"The Black Death (Overveiw)." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 11 May 2011.

Currie, Stephen. Miracles, Saints, and Pagan Superstition: The Medieval Mind. Farmington Hills: Lucent, 2006. Print.

Macdonald, Fiona, and David Salariya. First Facts about the Middle Ages. Ed. Penny Clarke. New York: Peter Bedrick, 1997. Print. The First Facts.

Singman, Jeffrey L. "Material Culture: Health and Disease." Daily Life Through History Online. Greenwood Press, 2002. Web. 12 May 2011.

Skeen, Bradley A. "Health and Disease in Medieval Europe." Ancient and Medeival History Online. Facts On File Inc., 2011. Web. 11 May 2011.

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When was the last outbreak of the Black Death?

     The last outbreak of the Black Death was in 1351. This is a good thing, because that means the European people didn't have to suffer any more, and we, as in today times, are HIGHLY unable to get it. But even after the last outbreak, local epidemics of the plague were reported in various locations. This happened throughout the world for about 100 years. But the local epidemics weren't as severe as the first 3 year epidemic.

     To this day, historians are still arguing about if the epidemic changed history forever. I think it did health wise, because maby it made people more aware of there surroundings and what kind of diseases are out there. But I have no clue what the historians are thinking. They always have far out explanations of what really happened or how it changed "our history." But what i do know is that this Black Death epidemic was one of the most deadly, widespread, and largest epidemics, if not the largest, of all of human history! And I also know I am VERY thankful for the kind of health care technology we have today, so if any epidemics like the Black Death happen, we will be prepared and can cure it.

What were the different types of the plague and how did they affect the people that caught it?

      There were 3 different types of the plague. The first was the Bubonic Plague. This plague was the most common of all plagues, and it infected the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a system that helps carries fluid to your heart, for those of you who didn't know. There were a lot of gross, painful symptoms to go along with this plague, as if just catching it wasn't enough. First off, you would get painful swellings in your lymph nodes, and then black areas, or patches ALL over your skin. And if that isn't enough for you, you would also get fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion and apparently a HORRIBLE smell!!!!! Most people who caught this plague would die within 5-7 days.

        The second type of plague you could have caught in the middle ages is the Pneumonic plague. This plague was an infection to the respiratory system. Some symptoms included: coughing, coughing up blood, chest pains, shortness of breath and a VERY high fever. Almost all people that caught the Pneumonic plague died within two days. Most people didn't know how long they had to live, so they wouldn't worry about their symptoms. But I guess that wasn't the best idea, was it?

        The last, and most deadly plague of the Black Death epidemic was the Septicemic plague. This was the least common plague you could catch, which is a good thing. The Septicemic plague was an infection to your circulatory system, or blood system as I call it. Many of the symptoms you would have had are similar to the ones of the Bubonic plague. Accept you would have had seizers, and a tendency to bleed randomly. This plague would have killed you in less than a day. All of these plague are caused by the same bacillus, Yersinia pestis, or a germ.

       I think the moral of this post is: STAY AWAY FROM RATS!!!!

What were some common symptoms of the Black Death?

     The first symptoms people would get would be painful black swellings. These swellings were usually under the arms of the victims, were their lympnodes are. Then there were itchy purple rashes ALL over the body. I can't imagine how uncomfortable that would be!!!! And the last common symptom was a burning fever. These were the most common symptoms you would get, but just a small portion of all the symptoms out there available for the victims to get.



This is a plague pit!! NASTY!!!



     People who caught the plague were promised death. Almost nobody survived if they caught this disease. Most people who caught it would die within 1-7 days of catcing it. If and when you died, you were likely to have no family to be there for you, because either they didn't want to come near you because they didn't want to catch the disease or they were dead too. So you were just pretty much left there in your house until the stench of your rotting body got the neighbors attention. Then they would call the wheelbarrow guy so he could come pick you up and cart you off. Then you were put in a HUGE pit full of other dead people. These pits were called "plague pits". Wonder why? And that was your funeral.

     These are just a few of the symptoms you would get, and the burial ceremony you were given if you caught the plague. Or more than likely WHEN you caught the plague.