Black Death

Introduction

The Black Death refers to the particular plague outbreak that has taken place in the mid 14th Century in the Europe. The Black Death was spread in Europe by the year 1347 in October, and spread rapidly all over Europe by the year 1349; it also affected Russia and Scandinavia during 1350s. However, it did not stop here but returns many times across the centuries. The Black Death is also renowned as the Pestilence, the Great Mortality and the Black Plague.

Discussion

Conventionally, the majority scholars believe that the disease smacked Europe was "Plague." It was well-known as bubonic plague in which lumps (buboes) were visible on the surface of body of a victim. These plagues also took forms of septicemic and pneumonic. Other syndromes have been put forward by some scholars and scientists suggest that there was a several disease pandemic; however, recently the Plague theory (in all its diversities) as well as hold the attention of several historians.

Most interesting it was not known that where the Black Death started and what is its origin point, as well as what is the cause of Black Death. Some suggested that it origins from somewhere in Asia, may be in China or Central Asia at Lake Issyk-Kul.

Plague of Bubonic was caused by the fleas, and these fleas lived on infected rats that traveled in trading ships from one country to another. The symptoms visible were sneezing and spreading from one person to another with a rapid speed, these are the symptoms of Pneumonic Plague. Septicemic Plague affects people when it comes in contract with open sores. In the course of these contagion methods, the Black Death disease spread through routes of trading from Asia to Italy, and later on all over Europe.

Black Death resulted in the death of one-third of the population of Europe that is almost 20 million people. Several cities were affected and lost about 40 percent of their citizens, Paris lost half of its population was lost, and 60 percent of their residents were lost in Bremen, Hamburg and Venice.

A number of people believed that they were punished by the God because of their sins. Many people were of the opinion that it was because of demonic dogs; whereas in Scandinavia, the Pest Maiden superstition was popular. A number of people were of the opinion that wells were poisoned by the Jews. The consequences of Black Death were a horrific Jews' persecution, which was difficult to control (Wilson, pp. 54).

Researchers proposed a more practical view; however, at that time microscope was not invented. Moreover, a study was conducted at the University of Paris titled the Paris Consilium that subsequent to severe inquiry, put down to the plague was a cause of astrological forces and earthquakes.

People were very afraid and hysterias because of the plague. They moved from one city to another due to panic with their families. The works of the priests and doctors were put in the shade, as they refused to provide ...