Black plague

Black Plague or Black Death was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 75-200 million people in Eurasia, peaking in Europe from 1347 to 1351. The bacterium Yersinia pestis, which results in several forms of plague (septicemic, pneumonic and, the most common, bubonic), is believed to have been the cause.

Origins and Spread

The origins of the Black Plague are believed to lie in the arid plains of Central Asia, more specifically, a region of present-day Kyrgyzstan. From there, it was likely carried by flea-infested rats on merchant ships, spreading throughout the Mediterranean Basin and Europe.

Symptoms and Transmission

The most common form of the Black Plague was the bubonic plague. Symptoms included fever, chills, weakness, and swollen and painful lymph nodes, known as buboes. The disease was primarily transmitted through the bite of infected fleas that had fed on infected rats. However, it could also be contracted through exposure to bodily fluids from a dead plague-infected body.

Impact

The Black Plague had a profound impact on Europe, causing vast mortality and sparking a series of religious, social and economic upheavals. It led to the decline of feudalism and the shift towards a more modern society. The plague also had significant effects on the arts, with many works focusing on mortality and the transience of life.

Modern Understanding

Modern understanding of the Black Plague is based on both the historical and archaeological record, as well as microbiological research. The identification of Yersinia pestis as the causative agent has been confirmed through the analysis of DNA from victims' teeth.

See Also

• Pandemic
• Bubonic plague
• Yersinia pestis
• History of medicine