History : Black death , cause , symptoms and impact

 

Black death, cause, symptoms and impact

What is black death?

The black death also known as the plague was a pandemic that devastated Europe and other parts of the world in the 14^th century.

It is considered one of the dead list pandemic in human history.

Plague is believed to have started in Europe an 1347.

1338 ;The plague is believed to have started in present day Mongolia of China.

1347; The plague arrives in Europe via trade routes specifically in the city of genoa , Italy in January 1347.

1348; The black death spreads rapidly thought Europe  reaching as England France and Spain.

1350; The black death reaches it peak in Europe with the highest number of death recorded.

1353;The black death spreads begins to decline but it continues to affect Europe and other part of the world joy several centuries.

·         BLACKDEATH CAUSES :-

Black death was caused by the bubonic plague .which is a highly injections and deadly discase caused by the bacterium yersinia pestis.

·         PRIMARY CAUSES:-

Yersinia Pestis Bacterium:- The plague/black death is caused by the yersinia pestis bacterium which was transmitted to human through the bits of injected flus that live on rats and other animals.

·         SECONDARY CAUSES:-

1.      TRADE AND COMMERCE:-

The black death spread rapidly  due to extensive  trade networks, including the silk road , which connected Europe and Asia.

2.      Urbanization and crowding:-

Overcrowding in cities and towns facilitated  the spread of the disease .

3.      Lack of medical:-

This time , there was no understanding of the disease causesor effective , treatment , leading to a lack of adequate medical care.

Vectors:-

1.      Fleas:- injected furs  that  lived on rats mice and other animals , the discase to humans through their bites.

2.      Rats and rodents:- These animals carried injected fleas and helped spread the discase.

       The  black death killed between 75 million and 200 million  people, which was         approximately 30-60% of Europe’s  population.

SYMPTOMS OF BLACKDEATH:-

Ø  Swollen lymph nodes , or “buboes” , in the groin are pet  or neck .

Ø  Fever, chills and weakness.

Ø  Painful and blackened skin hence the name “BLACK DEATH” .

Ø  A more delay  form, where  the injection spread trough  the blood stream.

The symptoms of the black death caused by the bubonic plague, typically developed within 1-7 days after exposure  and included:-

INITIAL  SYMPTOMS:-

1.       Fever: High temperature , often  accompanied by chills.

2.      Weakness: feeling extremely weak and exhausted

3.      Pain: painful swelling of lymph nodes; or “buboes”,  in the groin , armpits or neck .

4.      Swollen lymph nodes: painful and swollen nodes often turning black and bursting .

IMPACT OF BLACK DEATH :-

The black death , which ravaged  Europe and other parts of the world in the 14^th  century, had a profound  impact on society, culture , economy and polities , here are some of the significant  effects.

DEMOGRAPHIC IMPACT:-

1.     Massive  population decline :estimated 75-200 million deaths , approximately 30-60% of Europe’s population.

2.     Changes in populations structure :altered age , sex and  social class distributions.

ECONOMIC  IMPACTS:-

1.    Labor  shortages : led to increase social mobility higher wages , and better working conditions .

2.    Economics description : Trade Commerce and industry declined leading to economic stagnation.

SOCIAL IMPACT:-

1.      Increased social mobility : people moved to cities seeking better opportunities.

2.      Changes in family structure: reduced family size altered gender roles.

POLITICAL IMPACT:-

1.      Rise of cities : cities become centers of power commerce , and culture.

2.      Changes in law and governance : governments responded to the crisis with new laws  and regulations.

PROGRESSIVE SYMPTOMS:-

1.      Buboes: swollen  lymph nodes turned black and burst , releasing pus.

2.      Black spots: Black spots  appeared  on the skin, turning gangrenous.

3.      Septicemia: Injected  blood caused fever, chills and  organ failure .

4.      Pneumonia: injection spread to the lungs , causing cough , difficulty breathing  and bloody sputum.

5.      Delirium: injected people became disoriented  hallucination .

6.      Coma: eventually , the injection led to coma and death.

ADDITIONAL SYMPTOMS:-

1.      Nausea and vomiting

2.      Diarrhea

3.      Abdominal pain

4.      Building from mouth, nose  and rectum

 

 

 

The symptoms and progression of the disease varied depending on the individuals and the form of plague.

 

Written and collected by ,

 Bishnupriya Barik

Member of The Morden Researchers