Pneumonic Plague: The Black Death

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The Black Death was a traumatizing and horrific event of the medieval era. This incident dates back to the 14th century. Back then people were living under distinctive climatic zones, technology, social and political organisations. The early 1300s were cold and brought heavy rains destroying harvests and causing famine. The technology used in the society was rudimentary. Villagers worked under the feudal system which determined their rank in society. Moreover, the two most influencing religions, Islam and Christianity, spread worldwide causing many people to convert from their religions. Unfortunately, European people had limited and ineffective medical knowledge. Their doctors received no official training. They encouraged cures through prayers and considered them a punishment from God. On the other hand, medicine in the Islamic world was more advanced and effective. Furthermore, the people had insanitary hygienic habits. They would not bathe often. They did not promote a clean environment. It was a …show more content…
Researches and investigations concluded that this plague spread through the fleas living on rats. The infected fleas would then move from rats to the humans. People bitten by the flea would get the plague and the cycle continued.
The plague Yersinia pestis came in two different forms, Septicaemic Plague and Pneumonic Plague. Septicaemic Plague occurs when the plague bacteria affects the bloodstream. Pneumonic Plague takes place when plague bacteria affects the lungs and causes pneumonia.
During this time main cities across Europe and Western Asia were linked through trade routes. People traded with Europe, Asia and Mediterranean world. One of the most significant trade route was The Silk Road. This trading network originated in China and cultural interactions with regions in Asia and the Mediterranean. It allowed Asian and Mediterranean worlds to trade goods, inventions and