...Introduction The Bubonic plague of the Middle Ages has proven itself to be one of the worst pandemics in history. Ebola, in the meantime, has also proven to be deadly and threatening since the outbreak in 2014. It upgraded itself from an outbreak to an epidemic. What if Ebola becomes a pandemic? Would it be deadlier than the Bubonic plague? This is the question that this thesis paper will attempt to find the answer to. This paper will provide detailed backgrounds of both of these diseases; including their history and historical relevance, their causes and effects, even their levels of damage and possible cures. This paper will expand your knowledge of both diseases to such an extent that you can accurately compare and contrast them in order...
Words: 3510 - Pages: 15
...The Black Death Bubonic Plague The bubonic plague is a highly infectious and fearsome disease that attacks the lungs and lymph nodes. It is also called the Black Death or black plague. The bubonic plague is caused by Pasteurella pestis, a bacteria which resides within infected fleas and rats. Victims of the bubonic plague develop early symptoms, such as shivering, vomiting, headache, intolerance to light, back and limb pain, and a white coating on the tongue. Eventually, they develop black egg-sized swellings (buboes) filled with blood and pus under the armpits and in the groin. As the disease progresses, internal bleeding leads to black patches on the skin, and the victim may die in three to five days. Invasion of the lungs by the bacterium causes an equally fatal form of the plague called pneumonic plague, which can be transmitted from person to person by air droplets and saliva. Historical records document outbreaks of the plague as early as 430 b.c., when an epidemic struck Athens, Greece; but the most notorious bubonic plague epidemic began in Europe around 1346, reportedly when a ship of sick and dying sailors arrived at the Black Sea port of Caffa. This plague lasted four years and killed about one-third of the population of Europe, or approximately 20 million people. For hundreds of years after, epidemics of bubonic plague would sweep across the world killing millions more. The disease was so lethal that some victims supposedly would go to bed healthy and die in...
Words: 1351 - Pages: 6
...of people were dying during that time. The famous plague is know as the Bubonic Plague (The Black Death). Nobody in those days knew much about the plague, but they definitely encountered it. The fatal Bubonic Plague caused by a bacteria known as Yersinia, resulted in devastation, deaths throughout Europe and in some cases loss of faith. The Plague first began in small animals like rodents, and mice. According to (Seekers, DNEWS) “The bubonic plague first emerged in China more than 2,600 years ago.”...
Words: 1605 - Pages: 7
...manifestation of the plague in Europe historically known as "Black Death", “ fever " or "Bubonic plague" among other epithets, is a particular example of why a pest or plague can be developed and how can it be controlled. In this specific case, the plague is used to expand from the general conditions of a concrete reality, and disappears spontaneously when these conditions vary, these circumstances promoted behavioral changes to encourage changes in behavior and domestic actions of man, which in turn caused such a change of environment that disfavored the transcendence of the plague, which has its ultimate manifestation in the Old Continent nearly four hundred years after his arrival in Europe. Some people consider this event as the worst of the epidemics that affected man in its history. Although historically it has been established that the disease was bubonic plague acting with pneumonic and septicemic variants, some researchers attribute the high mortality registered to more than one disease, they base their statements and even in our times, by studying bones from graves that in which tradition is known to have been buried victims of the plague , in some cases there was no evidence of bubonic plague and its variants in one hand and in the other hand traces of other diseases such as Anthrax were found. What is certain and beyond doubt is that this epidemic ends with the third part of the population then, between 20 and 25 million people. Bubonic plague or Black Death...
Words: 1901 - Pages: 8
...and most certainly not educated enough to write. Who knows what literary works would have been written had it not been for the plague and the rate at which it devastated. The Black Death caused, prevented, and interrupted many works of literature. The Black Death, a plague on humanity capable of wiping out one fourth of Europe’s one hundred million people in the course of five years, made its mark between the years 1347 and 1351 (Marks). During that time, three types of plague were to have know to exist: Bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic (Marks). Although bubonic variant of the plague took the most time to kill it was still the most deadly simply due to it being the most widespread of the three (Marks). The bubonic plague got its name from the numerous buboes or cancer like growths that would develop on the victim’s armpit and groin (Marks). Another symptom that accompanied the growths was the presence of a constant fever. The buboes were swelled lymph glands as a result of the body’s lymphatic system trying to fight the disease. Basically, they were pockets of the dead white blood cells that piled up from fighting the plague bacteria. A total lymphatic shutdown was imminent when the buboes appeared. Death came in three to five days of infection (Marks). The other two types of plague, septicemic and pneumonic, were much less widespread than bubonic but in most cases more deadly. Septicemic plague is an infection of the blood stream with the Pasteurella...
Words: 1298 - Pages: 6
...Global pandemics have helped shape history and the modern world. Without the diseases that cause pandemics nations and empires would not have been able to expand as far and wide as they did and they would not have grown in complexity and culture. The bubonic plague took the world to the Dark Ages, but also resulted in one of the greatest ages of enlightenment, the Renaissance. Beautiful works of art, literature, and philosophy were born from this. Somewhat sadly not all pandemics have resulted in ages of enlightenment. Often they come fast, kill even faster, and then are gone. One pandemic that still plagues the world today, with no end in sight, is AIDS. An incurable virus that became the center of attention in the 1980's. Bubonic plague and AIDS are very different in nature, but have resulted in many similar political, economic, and cultural impacts within human societies. The differences and similarities of these pandemics can help us understand pandemics better and also can help us to prepare for future pandemics. First we must look at the bubonic plague, how it spread and how it impacted the world socially, economically, and culturally. It was first recorded in Europe by a Sicilian chronicler by the name of Michele da Piazza in October of 1347, who recorded the port of Messina having twelve galleys full of sailors carrying the disease down to the marrow of their bones.1 Black Death began to really take its toll in 1348, spreading through Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland...
Words: 1420 - Pages: 6
...The Black Death In the fourteenth century, a major disease broke out in Europe. This disease, the bubonic plague, killed millions of people. The disease traveled by rodents, mostly rats that settled in the city near civilizations. Many of these rats carried fleas in their fur. Fleas were carriers of the disease. Once the fleas come in contact with humans they would skip from human to human transferring the disease to many people in a short time. Fleas are a hard insect to control giving the time period this happened, there was virtually no way to control how fast it spread. The symptoms of the disease are fever, trembling, weakness, and profuse sweating. (Cantor) What ended up killing the majority of population were the people who developed buboes. Buboes are a buildup of dead blood and pus and when they are not taken under control they can become very deadly. When the buboes are popped or lanced they can be deadly for the infected and the once around due to the toxic shock. The plague ended up, wiping out over half of the population in Europe, and erasing many of the social classes that kept the people in an order. This disease caused an uproar within civilizations allowing people to commit crimes with no punishment or consequences. This allowed many of the lower-class families and...
Words: 783 - Pages: 4
...The bubonic plague was a fatal disease that had been terrorizing the population of Europe for years. Many people fought this disease but only a few were able to overcome it. The black death was a huge part of the Middle ages that caused chaos and destruction. After the Plague had settled down, Europe was faced with only 40 percent of its population. This affected not only the people but the way they lived. This wretched period led people to change their values and beliefs. What is the Bubonic Plague? The Bubonic plague was a deadly disease that is easily transmitted, which makes it even more dangerous. The Plague is caused by a bacteria known as yersinia pestis, which affects both humans and other mammals. The Plague is carried by infected fleas that seek shelter in rodents, specifically rats. It is a painful process that only takes three to seven days for symptoms to be expressed. The symptoms include swollen lymph nodes the size of chicken eggs that appear in the groin, armpit, or neck. A fever would also kick in which was a huge red flag to people who were unsure whether or not they had the bacterial infection....
Words: 477 - Pages: 2
...Lymphatics web quest Suggested site- www.cdc.gov, feel free to use other reliable sites as well. 1. What animal can transmit Cryptococcus? Bird species tend to transmit Cryptococcus. Especially in old pigeon feces and bat guano. 2. Can dogs and cats get Cryptococcus? Any animal is susceptible to getting Cryptococcus, even dogs and cats. 3. What is the infectious agent for Bubonic Plague? The infectious agent for Bubonic Plague is basterium Yersinia Pestis. 4. By how much was the world population reduced during the Plague pandemic? The world population reduced an estimated 450 million during the Plague pandemic. 5. What year (within the past 100 years) did the world experience a flu pandemic? In 1918, also known as the Spanish Flu. 6. What are 3 symptoms of chikungunya fever? 3 symptoms of chikungunya fever are fever, headache, and vomiting. 7. What bacterium causes Lyme’s disease? Borrelia burgdorferi is the bacterium that cuases Lyme’s disease. 8. What is ‘erythema migrans?’ Erythema migrans refers to the rash often seen in the early stages of Lyme disease. It’s an actual skin infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. It is also the only manifestation of Lymes disease that allows clinical diagnosis in the absence of laboratory confirmation. 9. Find a disease transmitted by rabbits and list...
Words: 518 - Pages: 3
...most gruesome and deadliest plagues noted in history. The Black started October 1348 and killed 25 million people until 1350. This plague cleared out roughly 30 to 60 percent of the people in Europe. Like many researchers, historians, and scholars, Herlihy had his own person opinion on this questionable plague. Herlihy is the author of a very controversial book, The Black Death and Transformation of the West. This particular book was based on three essays Herlihy wrote about the Black Death, but they were never published. Herlihy discussed his viewpoint of the cause primary causes, medical issues, and his personal feelings of the Black Death. The first essay mainly focused on the epidemiology and medical issues during that time period that could’ve caused the Black plague. Herlihy started off by questioning if the Black Death should really be known as a plague. Many researches stated that the Black Death expanded due to rodents which caused these people to become ill and die. Due to the rodents causing...
Words: 1026 - Pages: 5
...About a third of Europe’s population and a quarter of Syria’s and Egypt’s were killed by the disgusting pestilence known as the Bubonic Plague. The epidemic, also nicknamed the Black Death, was a disease that caused painful blisters on its victims, along with chills, fever, quick heartbeat and vomiting. It first appeared in Asia in the 1330s, and spread to Europe and northern Africa in the 1340s. Since cultures differ dramatically by location, people who followed Christianity and people who followed Islam had very strong distinction in opinion about the illness. Christians and Muslims had such different responses to the Bubonic plague because of their reactions, placing the blame and acceptance of the tragedy. One reason the responses to the Black Death varied so much was the initial reactions. A quote from a Christian in this time period reads “It was a cruel and horrible thing; and I do not know where to begin to tell the cruelty and the pitiless ways. It seemed that almost everyone became stupefied from seeing the pain. And it is impossible for the human tongue...
Words: 690 - Pages: 3
...several names such as Black Death, the Bubonic Plague and the Black plague. Regardless of what you call it, it was one of the world’s worst pandemic in history. This plague tore through Europe destroying villages and communities. The immediate impact was fear, chaos, and complete devastation, the long term effect proved to improve economics and societies. Black Death spread through Europe beginning in 1346 and ending in 1353. Seven years of “unexplained” deaths, the plague chose no race, color, age or gender it attacked and killed 50 million people or 60% of the population (Benedictou 2005). Symptoms of the plague began with swollen glands in the neck, armpits, and groin areas. Internal bleeding gave the skin a blackened coloring earning the name “Black Death”. Other symptoms range from red blotching of the skin “rosies” Once bitten these would appear within a couple days and the victim would die within a week. Even a more powerful strain of this plague was the pneumonic plague; this version went directly to the lungs and respiratory systems. Now not only was this spread by the fleas but also through human to human contact. Once infected a simple cough would send droplets and blood to the next victim, highly contagious and it killed in two days. It was recorded that up to five hundred people could be buried in one pit in less than a month’s time. (2011) There were a number of beliefs of how the people thought the plague began and spread: the religious...
Words: 982 - Pages: 4
...The Black Plague The Black Plague was a pandemic, which reached England in June 1348-December 1349. It was later called “The Black Death” due to it killing around 50 million people. The Black Death has affected not only Europe, but other parts of the world killing many. Almost everyone feared the plague because it could possibly affect many of their lives, losing loved ones. New symbols and art were brought to the surface due to The Black Plague, such as plague doctors and even the famous song “Ring Around the Rosie”. Although there is a cure now it is still around today coming in many forms and types affecting people's daily lives. There are 3 major plagues the Justinian Plague, which was named after the 6th century Justinian emperor,...
Words: 1329 - Pages: 6
...Ring Around The Rosie “Ring around the rosie, pockets full of posy; ashes, ashes, we all fall down.” This renown nursery rhyme is known well around the world, but it’s origins are much darker than they seem. The Black Plague was one of the deadliest epidemics in human history, peaking in Europe between 1348 and 1350. It is said to most likely have been carried by Oriental rat fleas living on black rats who got onto merchant ships. Thousands of people suffered a painful death that dramatically decreased the population in and around Europe. The plague created a series of religious, social, and economic conflicts, all profound effects on the course of European history. At the time the Black Plague affected Europe, the church’s authority was an...
Words: 510 - Pages: 3
...The Bubonic Plague: A turning point in history The Bubonic Plague, which also goes by other names such as: the Black Death, the Black Plague, the Great Pestilence, is a disease that devastated the medieval world with a 9 out of 10 mortality rate (Vyas). It is so resilient that cases of infection are still being recorded in America today –although in a much milder manner. The plague then killed of almost one-third of Europe’s population, leaving lasting effects wherever it had touched (Bussema and Witowski). This fatal epidemic disease has since changed how we take on such diseases, and modified our tactics on handling epidemics and other contagious diseases. The Black Plague is an infection caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis (originally known as Pasteurella pestis) (Kohn). The name of the bacterium comes from the scientist that discovered it; French bacteriologist, Alexandre Yersin (Tyson). The pestilence has a typical incubation period of two to seven days before the symptoms begin to show. The plague has many symptoms, some of which include: chills, fever, nausea, and painful swelling of the lymph nodes (called buboes –from which the disease is named) that occur in the armpits and neck and groin. Other symptoms of the illness are: red spots on the skin that turned black, the rotting of flesh whilst still living, severe headache, weakness, and vomiting. Yet, most cases were fatal by the third day (Vyas). This disease was transferred from infected animals -most often...
Words: 2280 - Pages: 10
